Dietary interventions on the prevention and management of diabetes in post-kidney transplantation - A systematic review.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus is associated with long-term immunosuppression and weight gain, and is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, accelerated loss of graft and increased mortality. There is an absence of strong evidence-based dietary guidelines for the prevention and management of post-transplant diabetes mellitus in kidney transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to systematically review all dietary evidence for kidney transplant recipients on clinical outcomes relating to diabetes, patient-reported outcomes and economic outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in August 2020 using the databases Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and CINAHL. Studies were critically appraised using Cochrane risk of bias tools and GRADE. A total of 12 studies and 1928 participants were included. Four papers focused on diet and exercise, one paper on diet only, two papers on magnesium supplementation, one paper on magnesium and fibre intake, two papers on Mediterranean diet, one paper on marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation and one paper on fruit and vegetable intake. There were no significant effects on outcomes relating to dietary counselling, magnesium supplementation, magnesium and fibre intake or marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation. Low-quality evidence supports the Mediterranean diet in reducing the risk of post-transplant diabetes mellitus and fasting plasma glucose levels. Low-quality evidence suggests vegetable intake being associated with a lower risk of post-transplant diabetes mellitus. This review demonstrates limited evidence for dietary interventions in the prevention and management of diabetes in post-kidney transplantation. The findings suggest that further high-quality research with robust study designs is required.

Octreotide versus oral dietary modification for the treatment of chylous fistula following neck dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Chylous fistula following neck surgery is a rare, but significant complication. Currently, there is no standardised treatment, which may comprise pressure dressings, oral dietary modification (ODM), surgery or a combination of such measures. Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue that has gained popularity in the management of cervical chyle leaks. The effectiveness of octreotide compared with ODM is unclear. We provide a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature pertaining to the management of chylous fistulae, comparing both treatment strategies. METHODS: The bibliographic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched from inception to October 2019. Search terms included (chyle [title/abstract]) OR (chylous [title/abstract]) AND (fistula [title/abstract]) OR (fistulae [title/abstract]) OR (leak [title/abstract]) AND (neck [title/abstract]) OR (dissection [title/abstract]). The study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Outcome measures included the proportion of chylous fistulae that spontaneously resolved without the need for surgery and time taken until resolution, for both DM and octreotide, respectively. RESULTS: The primary search identified 20 articles for review, comprising 313 patients. Two studies were suitable for pooled analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in the time taken for chylous fistula to resolve between groups (octreotide 10.0 days; ODM 12.0 days; P = .38). The overall rate of resolution was 89.6% and 81.5%, respectively (P = .25). Surgery was highly effective in cases failing to resolve following intervention with either method (96% [53/55] patients). CONCLUSION: The use of octreotide for chylous fistula following neck dissection surgery is associated with a high rate of spontaneous resolution. However, significant heterogeneity, bias and concurrent use of ODM/TPN for patients in studies investigating octreotide precludes universal recommendation at this time. Further research in the form of randomised controlled trials is required to establish an independent treatment effect.

Is a semi-elemental diet better than a polymeric diet after congenital heart surgery?

A retrospective observational study has been set up in order to compare feeding tolerance and energy delivery in children fed with a semi-elemental diet or a polymeric diet after congenital heart surgery. The study took place in the intensive care unit of a tertiary children's hospital. One hundred children were included: 56 received a semi-elemental diet and 44 received a polymeric diet. Patients were aged between 2 days and 6 years. Data from patients were obtained from medical files between February 2014 and May 2016. The feeding protocol was changed in March 2015 when a semi-elemental diet was substituted for the polymeric diet. Primary outcome was the feeding tolerance. Feeding intolerance occurs if the patient has more than two episodes of emesis or more than four liquid stools per day. Feeding tolerance in the semi-elemental and polymeric diet groups was comparable: emesis occurred in 14.3% versus 6.8% of patients, respectively (p = 0.338); diarrhea occurred in 3.6% versus 4.5% (p = 1000); post-pyloric feeding was necessary in 14% versus 9% (p = 0.542). Energy delivery was also comparable in the two groups: on postoperative day 2, the semi-elemental diet group reached 50% of the caloric target versus 52% in the polymeric diet group (p = 0.283); on day 5, 76% versus 85% (p = 0.429); and on day 10, 105% versus 125% (p = 0.397). Energy delivery was insufficient on postoperative days 2 and 5, but nutritional goals were achieved by day 10. No patient developed necrotizing enterocolitis in our population.Conclusion: the present study suggests that the feeding tolerance to a semi-elemental or a polymeric diet is similar after CHS.What is Known:•Nutrition can modify prognosis in PICU•Different types of diet have been tested in children with intestinal disorders or with congenital heart disease. None of these diets have shown to be superior in terms of feeding tolerance.What is New:•Semi elemental and polymeric diets seem to have the same feeding tolerance in PICU after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease.

Effect of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) parenteral nutrition on immune function and nutritional support after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) parenteral nutrition support on immune function and nutritional support in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. 140 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer were selected as participants and were divided into study group and the control group by random number table, with 70 cases in each group. Patients in the two groups underwent standard gastrectomy under general anesthesia by the same group of doctors. The study group received postoperative PICC catheter parenteral nutrition, and the control group received central venous catheter (CVC) nutrition support. Comparative study was done using t test and Chi-square test. The serum levels of ALB, TFN, PA, Hb, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, IgA, IgG, IgM and CD3+ in the two groups were observed before and after treatment, and the postoperative complications of the two groups were compared. After treatment, the levels of ALB, TFN, PA and Hb in the two groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). Levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, IgA, IgG and IgM also amplified significantly after treatment in both the groups, while CD8+ decreased significantly (P<0.05). What's more, the improvement degree of the study group was significantly greater than that of the control group (P<0.05). The time of drawing drainage tube, recovering intestinal function, getting off bed and the length of hospital stay in the study group were significantly shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the study group and control group were 8.6% (6/70 cases) and 11.4% (8/70 cases) respectively, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05). PICC catheter parenteral nutrition support and improve the nutritional status of patients, it was proved a safe and effective nutritional support which improve the cellular immune function and accelerated the recovery of gastrointestinal function.

Muscle protein anabolism in advanced cancer patients: response to protein and amino acids support, and to physical activity.

In the field of oncology, it is well recognized that a decrease in mass, density, strength, or function of skeletal muscle is associated to increased treatment toxicities and postoperative complications, as well as poor progression-free survival and overall survival. The ability of amino acids to stimulate protein synthesis in cancer patients is reduced. Considering nutritional intervention, this anabolic resistance could be in a part counteracted by increasing protein or by giving specific amino acids. In particular, Leucine might counteract this anabolic resistance not only by increasing substrate availability, but also by directly modulating the anabolic signal pathway. Few studies showed the possibility of increasing muscle protein synthesis by specific nutriments and/or by increasing amino acids or protein administration. In addition, whereas many studies provide evidence of a benefit of adapted physical activity in advanced cancer patients, it is difficult to specify the most appropriate type of exercise, and the optimum rhythm and intensity. Moreover, the benefits of physical activities and of protein support seem greater when it is started at the precachexia stage rather than at the cachexia stage, and their benefits are limited or nonexistent at the stage of refractory cachexia. Future approaches should integrate the combination of several complementary treatments in order to prevent (or improve) cachexia and/or sarcopenia in cancer patients.

Effects of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide on postoperative cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation through targeting of the gut-brain axis.

BACKGROUND: Surgery-induced neuroinflammation plays an important role in postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Gut microbiota is a key regulator of neurological inflammation. Nurturing with prebiotics is an effective microbiota manipulation that can regulate host immunity and cognition. The aim of the present study was to test whether administration of the prebiotic Bimuno® (galactooligosaccharide (B-GOS) mixture) could ameliorate POCD and attenuate surgery-induced neuroinflammation through the microbiota-brain-axis. METHODS: Adult rats undergoing abdominal surgery under isoflurane anesthesia were fed with water or prebiotic B-GOS supplementation (15 g/L) for 3 weeks. Novel objective recognition task was employed for testing cognitive changes on postoperative day three. Expression of microglial marker Iba-1 in the hippocampus was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Expression levels of phenotypic gene markers of activated microglia (M1: iNOS, CD68, CD32; M2: Ym1, CD206, and SOCS3) in hippocampus were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Feces were collected for microbial community analysis. RESULTS: Rats exhibited an impairment in novel objective recognition 3 days after surgery compared with control rats (P < .01). In the hippocampus, expressions of Iba-1 and M1 markers of surgical rats were significantly upregulated. Similarly, expressions of SOCS3 and CD206 in the hippocampus were upregulated. Additionally, increasing levels of IL-6 and IL-4 were evident in the hippocampus. Administration of B-GOS significantly alleviated cognitive decline induced by surgery (P < .01). B-GOS-fed rats showed a significantly downregulated activation of microglia and expressions of M1-related genes and SOCS3 and IL-6. While there was no significant difference in expressions of CD206 and Ym1 and IL-4 between the surgical and B-GOS groups. Analysis of gut microbiome found that administration of B-GOS induced a significant change beta diversity of the gut microbiome and proliferation of Bifidobacterium and other potentially anti-inflammatory microbes. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of B-GOS has a beneficial effect on regulating neuroinflammatory and cognitive impairment in a rat model of abdominal surgery and was associated with the manipulation of gut microbiota.

Pulmonary arterial pressure detects functional mitral stenosis after annuloplasty for primary mitral regurgitation: An exercise stress echocardiographic study.

INTRODUCTION: The restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty (RMA) is the treatment of choice for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR), but postoperative functional mitral stenosis remains a matter of debate. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of mitral stenosis on the functional capacity of patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 32 patients with degenerative MR who underwent RMA using a complete ring were evaluated. All participants performed treadmill exercise test and underwent echocardiographic examinations before and after exercise. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 50.1 ± 12.5 years. After a mean follow-up of 14.1 ± 5.9 months (6-32 months), the number of patients with a mitral valve peak gradient >7.5 mm Hg, a mitral valve mean gradient >3 mm Hg, and a pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) ≥25 mm Hg at rest were 50%, 40.6%, and 62.5%, respectively. 13 patients (40.6%) had incomplete treadmill exercise test. All hemodynamic parameters were higher at peak exercise compared with at rest levels (all P < .05). The PAP at rest and at peak exercise as well as peak transmitral gradient at peak exercise were higher in patients with incomplete exercise compared with complete exercise test (all P < .05). The PAP at rest (a sensitivity and a specificity of 84.6% and 52.6%, respectively; area under the curve [AUC] = .755) and at peak exercise (a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% and 47.4%, respectively; AUC = .755) discriminated incomplete exercise test. CONCLUSION: The RMA for degenerative MR was associated with a functional stenosis and the PAP at rest and at peak exercise discriminated low exercise capacity.

[Assessment of Fat-free Diet for Postoperative Chylothorax].

BACKGROUND: Chylothorax after lung cancer surgery is relatively rare but must be considered as a complication of thoracic surgery. METHOD: Between January 2012 and June 2017, 818 patients underwent lung cancer surgery at our hospital. Among them, 14 (1.7%) patients with chylothorax were retrospectively reviewed. Three patients were treated with oral intake cessation except water and total parental nutrition( TPN)[TPN group], 11 patients were treated with a fat-free diet( fat-free diet group). RESULTS: The drainage period was similar in both group [group TPN;13 (12~14) days and group fat-free diet;15.7 (6~42) days]. In the TPN group, 3 patients underwent pleurodesis and no patient needed surgical intervention. In the fat-free diet group, 5 patients improved only with diet management. Pleurodesis was necessary in 5 of which 3 underwent surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A fat-free diet is useful in treating chylothorax after lung cancer surgery.

Impact of elemental diet on early recovery after laparoscopic colectomy: findings of a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: An amino acid-containing elemental diet (ED) does not require digestion for nutritional absorption, making it a good option for patients with gastrointestinal malabsorption. We conducted a randomized trial to confirm that perioperative ED enhanced the recovery of patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy. METHODS: Patients in the intervention arm received commercially available ED from the day prior to surgery until postoperative day (POD) 3, whereas patients in the control group received a conventional perioperative diet program. To verify the endpoints, "estimated minimum length of stay in hospital after surgery" (emLOS) was defined as the number of days necessary to reach all the five criteria; namely, "sufficient oral intake", "sufficient pain control", "withdrawal of intravenous alimentation", "no abnormal findings in routine examinations", and "no rise in fever". RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were randomized, 94 of whom were analyzed (ED 45, control 49). There was no morbidity or mortality. Shorter emLOS (POD 4 vs. POD 7; p = 0.018), earlier resumption of sufficient oral intake (POD 3 vs. POD 4; p = 0.034) and faster recovery to defecation (2.2 vs. 3.1 days; p = 0.005) were observed in the ED group vs. the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The perioperative ingestion of ED by patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy is safe and can reduce the postoperative hospital stay by supporting the acceleration of oral intake.

Effectiveness of postoperative elemental diet (Elental®) in elderly patients after gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of postoperative early intervention with an elemental diet to reduce weight loss and enhance recovery after gastrectomy. Nutritional status and gastrointestinal immune function tend to worsen, and postoperative weight loss is inevitable in these patients; therefore, improvement in their postoperative condition is important, especially in gastric cancer patients aged ≥80 years. METHODS: Clinical outcomes and postoperative nutritional status were compared between 21 and 22 consecutive elderly patients aged ≥80 years who underwent distal gastrectomy before and after the introduction of postoperative oral elemental diet (Elental®, 300 kcal/day), respectively, between October 2011 and June 2016. RESULTS: A significant reduction in postoperative complications was noted in the nutrition support group (N-group) as compared with the control group (C-group). In particular, the prevalence of systemic complications was significantly lower in the N-group (33.3 vs. 4.5 %, p = 0.015), whereas no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of locoregional complications. The percentage of weight loss and reduction in BMI from 1 month to 1 year after surgery was significantly lower in the N-group (p = 0.012 each). The nutrition status (albumin, total protein, hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein levels) at 1 month after surgery showed improvements (p = 0.005, p = 0.048), and hospital stay was decreased in the N-group as compared to the C-group (16.0 vs. 12.5 days, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention with an elemental diet after distal gastrectomy is valuable for reducing perioperative weight loss and improving nutritional management and may be associated with enhanced postoperative recovery in elderly patients.

Effect of Early Individualized Dietary Counseling on Weight Loss, Complications, and Length of Hospital Stay in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Comparative Study.

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are at risk for undernutrition. Dietary counseling during treatment has positive effects on nutritional status and quality of life, however, the effects of dietary counseling started before initiation of treatment are currently unknown. Therefore we assessed the effect of early individualized dietary counseling (DC) on weight loss, major complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients with HNC. Ninety-five newly diagnosed HNC patients with (risk of) undernutrition receiving DC were compared to 95 matched HNC patients receiving usual nutritional care (UC). Difference in weight change over time was analyzed by generalized estimating equations (GEE). Differences in complications and LOS were studied by Pearson chi-squared and student's t-tests. Weight change between diagnosis and end of treatment was -6.0 ± 6.9% (DC) and -5.4 ± 5.7% (UC; GEE: -0.4kg, 95% confidence interval: -1.2 to 0.5; P = 0.44). Less DC patients experienced overall postoperative complications (44%/70%, P = 0.04). No effect on major postoperative or (chemo)radiotherapy complications or LOS was found. This study showed a lower prevalence of overall postoperative complications in HNC patients receiving DC but could not demonstrate an effect on weight loss, other complications, and LOS.

Protocol for the detection and nutritional management of high-output stomas.

INTRODUCTION: An issue of recent research interest is excessive stoma output and its relation to electrolyte abnormalities. Some studies have identified this as a precursor of dehydration and renal dysfunction. A prospective study was performed of the complications associated with high-output stomas, to identify their causes, consequences and management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists, nutritionists and hospital pharmacists. High-output stoma (HOS) was defined as output ≥1500 ml for two consecutive days. The subjects included in the study population, 43 patients with a new permanent or temporary stoma, were classified according to the time of HOS onset as early HOS (<3 weeks after initial surgery) or late HOS (≥3 weeks after surgery). Circumstances permitting, a specific protocol for response to HOS was applied. Each patient was followed up until the fourth month after surgery. RESULTS: Early HOS was observed in 7 (16%) of the sample population of 43 hospital patients, and late HOS, in 6 of the 37 (16%) non-early HOS population. By type of stoma, nearly all HOS cases affected ileostomy, rather than colostomy, patients. The patients with early HOS remained in hospital for 18 days post surgery, significantly longer than those with no HOS (12 days). The protocol was applied to the majority of EHOS patients and achieved 100% effectiveness. 50% of readmissions were due to altered electrolyte balance. Hypomagnesaemia was observed in 33% of the late HOS patients. CONCLUSION: The protocol developed at our hospital for the detection and management of HOS effectively addresses possible long-term complications arising from poor nutritional status and chronic electrolyte alteration.

Effect of intravenous iron supplementation for acute postoperative anemia in patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Several previous studies have concluded that iron supplementation is not beneficial for correcting acute postoperative anemia. However, little data are available about the effect of intravenous (i.v.) iron supplementation for acute postoperative anemia in patients undergoing gastrectomy. METHODS: Between February 2009 and May 2012, 527 patients underwent gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. From February 2011, we began i.v. iron supplementation for patients with acute postoperative anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) ≤10 g/dL) at our institute. This study compared the changes of serum Hb up to postoperative 6 months between the patients treated before and after the introduction of i.v. iron supplementation. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients had acute postoperative anemia (Hb ≤10 g/dL). Of these, 68 patients (47.9%) received i.v. iron supplementation. There were no significant differences in age, gender, operation type, tumor stage, and the presence of postoperative chemotherapy between the i.v. iron supplementation and no-supplementation group. Postoperatively, the serum Hb increase over time was significantly better in the i.v. iron supplementation group (repeated measures ANOVA, p = .009). The mean increase of Hb at postoperative 6 months was 3.2 g/dL in the i.v. supplementation group and 2.5 g/dL in the no-supplementation group (p = .029). Multivariate analysis revealed that i.v. iron supplementation was an independent factor of increased serum Hb at postoperative 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike non-gastrointestinal surgery, i.v. iron significantly increased serum Hb in patients developing acute postoperative anemia after gastrectomy. A prospective randomized trial is warranted to confirm the role of i.v. iron supplementation in patients with gastrectomy.

How to feed complicated patients after surgery: what's new?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This clinical review focuses on the nutritional management of surgical patients with a severe postoperative complication. These patients having a succession of aggressions are at high risk of malnutrition. Our aim, following ICU patient studies, was to report the elements that could be applied for these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Although early enteral nutrition is recommended, recent data focus more on parenteral nutrition. Because these patients probably had a poor nutritional intake for several days, the prescription of parenteral nutrition would appear to be valid in cases of inadequate or impossible enteral nutrition. Lipid emulsion decreasing long-chain triglyceride intake should be used. Moreover, administration of fish oil should be considered. Intravenous glutamine, decreasing new infections and hospital length of stay, should be prescribed only in patients without shock. Several studies and meta-analyses have suggested that a parenteral selenium supplementation in a severe patient can reduce mortality. SUMMARY: In severe surgical complicated patients, special care must be taken vis-à-vis nutritional intake. Such patients are likely to have an energy deficit and are at high risk of malnutrition. Nutritional assistance is necessary and should be quickly implemented with the usual recommendations.

Protein-losing enteropathy following the Fontan procedure in a child with intestinal lactase deficiency treated with lactose-free diet.

UNLABELLED: A 12-year-old girl presented with a protein-losing enteropathy. Symptoms started 4 weeks after undergoing the Fontan procedure at the age of 1.5 years for mitral atresia, ventricular septal defect, and double-outlet right ventricle. Upon referral for 3 weeks of rehabilitation after multiple interventional measures and drug treatments, she appeared in a dystrophic state, with decreased plasma protein and electrolyte levels along with occasional tetanic convulsions. Blood glucose levels after a lactose tolerance test were markedly reduced. The introduction of a lactose-free diet was quickly effective, with plasma protein and electrolyte levels raised to normal levels, and the girl's body weight increased without ascites or oedema. Molecular genetic examination revealed a homozygous C/C13910 polymorphism in the LCT gene. CONCLUSION: Protein-losing enteropathy in the Fontan circulation may be provoked by lactase deficiency and should therefore be ruled out to exclude this rather common condition.

Fish oil-supplemented parenteral nutrition in patients following esophageal cancer surgery: effect on inflammation and immune function.

Our aim was to investigate whether adding ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to parenteral nutrition (PN) could reduce inflammation and improve immune function in patients following esophageal cancer surgery. In this pilot study, 60 patients with esophageal cancer were divided into 2 groups (30 patients in each group). All patients had total scores of more than or equal to 3 on the nutritional risk screening (NRS2002) test recommended by the European Society of Parenteral Enteral Nutrition, which showed that all patients had nutritional risk and should receive nutritional support. Both groups received isocaloric and isonitrogenous PN. One group received a ω-3 PUFAs supplement. Key indicators of inflammation [serum procalcitonin (PCT) level and the ratio of CD4(+) to CD8(+) (CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio)] were determined intraoperatively and 24, 72, and 144 h postoperatively. PCT level was notably lower and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was markedly higher in the ω-3 PUFAs group (P = 0.007 for PCT level and P = 0.012 for CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio) on postoperative day 6 but not on postoperative days 1 and 3. ω-3 PUFAs supplemented PN can reduce inflammation and improve immune function in patients following esophageal cancer surgery. A larger trial is required to see whether ω-3 PUFAs supplementation of PN improves the clinical outcomes of patients following esophageal cancer surgery.

Minimizing unnecessary parenteral nutrition after appendectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: Consensus guidelines have indicated that postoperative parenteral nutrition (PN) might provide benefit when patients are expected to be nil per os (NPO) ≥7 d and when PN is administered ≥5 d. We hypothesized that most children receiving PN after appendectomy do not satisfy these criteria. METHODS: The medical records of the patients who had undergone appendectomy for perforated appendicitis from 2006-2011 were analyzed, and the proportion meeting the criteria for beneficial PN was determined. The clinical parameters independently associated with the criteria for beneficial PN (PN therapy ≥5 d, ileus ≥5 d, NPO ≥7 d) were identified using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1612 patients were treated for appendicitis. Of these, 587 met the inclusion criteria (age <16 y, perforated appendicitis, appendectomy within 24 h, no previous indication for PN). Of the 587 patients, 12.1% received PN; 43.8% of these received PN for ≥5 d. The predictors of PN duration of ≥5 d included preoperative symptoms for ≥3 d (P < 0.01) and initiation of PN by postoperative day 3 (P = 0.047). Preoperative symptoms for ≥3 d, imaging showing a discrete abscess or bowel obstruction, and operative findings of diffuse peritonitis predicted ileus of ≥5 d and NPO of ≥7 d (P < 0.01 for all). Major complications were more common in patients with ileus lasting ≥5 d. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than one-half of patients receiving PN in the present cohort met the consensus-based guidelines for postoperative PN. The preoperative symptom duration, preoperative imaging findings demonstrating abscess and/or bowel obstruction, and intraoperative findings of diffuse peritonitis might predict prolonged ileus and longer recovery periods for children undergoing surgery for perforated appendicitis.

[Octreotide treatment for postoperative chylous ascites in an adult]. / Ascitis quilosa posquirúrgica en un adulto tratada con octreótida.

Chylous ascites is infequent after abdominal surgery. We describe the case of a 43-year-old man with portal cavernomatosis who underwent surgery to insert a splenorenal shunt, which was not placed due to the absence of signs of portal hypertension. On postoperative day 20, the patient developed abdominal distension and mild dyspnea and was diagnosed with chylous ascites, which was related to the surgery. The patient was initially treated with diet and diuretics, with no clinical response, and consequently octreotide therapy was started. Four days later, the ascites was almost resolved and an ultrasound scan at 4 months showed its complete disappearance. This article demonstrates the effectiveness of octreotide in the treatment of postsurgical chylous ascites.

[Dietary prevention of protein-energy malnutrition during early postoperative period in elderly patients with gastroduodenal diseases].

The modified diet of postoperative rehabilitation program in elderly patients with gastroduodenal ulcers and prognosis of development of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is presented. It is shown that early initiated special diet in postoperative period, blocks mechanisms of malnutrition and can significantly improve the functional status of the small intestine and activate, thus, membrane digestion, which leads to normalization of all types of metabolism in elderly patients. In comparison with control group, where 72% of patients in postoperative period had malnutrition, malnutrition in the study group revealed a mild degree in only 17.3% of patients.