Nutritional Interventions for Surgical Patients

Abstract

During a state of trauma, such as injury or surgery, the body’s nutritional needs are expected to increase. The body enters a higher metabolic state and requires more energy, the immune system is weakened due to stress, and persistent inflammation delays full return to normal function. Surgical nutritional interventions have demonstrated that targeted nutrition can enhance outcomes in acute patients and chronic conditions. This paper reviews the state of the clinical evidence on nutrition as a remedy for improving musculoskeletal and surgical patient outcomes.