Abstract
Background & Aims: Conflicting evidence exists as to whether post-operative infections in patients with Squamous Cell carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) are reduced by peri-operative enteral feeding with immune-enhancing feeds such as Impact, which contains l-arginine, nucleotides and omega-3 fatty acids. Our study aimed to address this conflict.
Methods: We conducted a single centre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, clinical trial. Patients undergoing surgery for SCCHN were fed enterally with either Impact or an iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric control feed for five days pre and seven days post-surgery. The rates of systemic and local infective complications, length of hospital stay and peri-operative mortality rates were compared between the two groups.
Results: Data for analysis were available for 57 patients; 28 who received IMPACT and 29 the control feed. A primary infection occurred in 35% (20/57) of patients; 43% (12/28) in the Impact group and 28% (8/29) in the control group, (P = 0.27, Fishers Exact test). No differences in secondary infection rates or length of hospital stay were observed between the groups.
Conclusions: In this under-powered study, peri-operative use of Impact in patients undergoing surgery for SCCHN did not lead to significant differences in infective complications, length of hospital stay or peri-operative mortality. Larger studies are required.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-114 |
Journal | e-SPEN Journal: The European e-Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2012 |