Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
12:10
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
8.2K
Refeeding syndrome after radical cystoprostatectomy: A case report
Mouna Ouaz1, Walid Zakhama2, Hela Attia1
1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tahar Sfar Hospital, Mahdia, 5100, Tunisia.
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012)
|May 19, 2021
Summary
Refeeding syndrome (RFD) is a dangerous electrolyte imbalance in undernourished patients. This case highlights a lethal outcome in a post-surgery patient with severe cachexia, emphasizing the critical risks of nutritional support.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Clinical Nutrition
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Refeeding syndrome (RFD) is a potentially lethal condition characterized by severe electrolyte disturbances.
- It occurs in undernourished patients during inappropriate oral or parenteral refeeding.
- Key electrolyte abnormalities include low serum concentrations of phosphate, magnesium, and potassium.
Observation:
- A case of RFD is presented in a 50-year-old male patient 22 days post-radical cystoprostatectomy.
- The patient exhibited anorexia, a significantly reduced body mass index (12.36 kg/m²), and low albumin, magnesium, phosphate, and calcium levels.
- He was admitted to the intensive care unit due to severe cachexia and poor general condition.
Findings:
- Parenteral nutrition was initiated at 1500 Kcal/day.
- Despite nutritional support, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly.
- The clinical course was characterized by multiple organ failure, leading to a lethal outcome.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical risks associated with refeeding syndrome in severely undernourished patients, particularly after major surgery.
- It highlights the need for careful monitoring and management of electrolyte levels during nutritional rehabilitation.
- Prompt recognition and intervention are crucial to prevent severe complications and mortality in patients at risk for RFD.
