Nutritional supplements in the surgical patient.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Nutrition
• Dietary Supplements
• Preoperative Care

Background:

• Many surgical patients have fundamental nutrient deficiencies.
• Preoperative supplement use is common but often lacks clear evidence.
• Understanding patient expectations and supplement impacts is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on preoperative supplement use in surgical patients.
• To discuss patient-expected benefits, indications, and risks of supplements.
• To highlight the relationship between supplements, nutrient status, and surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on supplement use in surgical populations.
• Analysis of patient-reported benefits and scientific evidence.
• Discussion of macronutrient recommendations and regulatory aspects.

Main Results:

• Significant nutrient deficiencies exist in surgical patients.
• Patient expectations for supplements are high, but evidence is often limited.
• Preoperative supplement use can influence surgical preparation and recovery.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing nutritional status preoperatively is essential.
• Evidence-based guidelines for supplement use in surgery are needed.
• Further research should clarify the role and safety of supplements in surgical patients.