Evaluation on the effectiveness of perioperative nutritional therapy

In the last three decade very important advances in venous access, enteral feeding techniques and parenteral and enteral nutrient formulations have made it possible to provide sufficient nutritional support to almost all patients. The clinical nutritional therapy became a progressive medical subspecialty. Despite the widespread use of nutritional management of different patient groups, many fields of nutritional support remain controversial. The critical review of the current medical literature is necessary evaluating the effectiveness of nutritional support in the perioperative period. This document represents a critical review of the available literature and contains suggestions, recommendations for the clinical practice. The historical background and development of perioperative artificial nutritional therapy are cited. Whenever possible, prospective randomised clinical trials (PRCTs) are evaluated because this is the most reliable method for evaluating clinical efficacy of a treatment. The incidence of postoperative complications, the length of postoperative hospitalisation and the mortality are considered good general indicator of effectiveness of perioperative nutritional therapy.