[Significance of the nutritional status of surgical patients]

In recent years nutritional status gained greater attention as a surgical risk factor. This study analyzes the frequency of malnutrition in surgical patients with solid and operable tumors, the relation to the type of tumor and stage of the disease. In addition, the clinical value of the measurements carried out is discussed. The analysis was performed in 100 cancer patients (34 gastric cancer, 56 colorectal cancer, and 10 breast cancer). The nutritional assessment included individual dietary habits, ideal weight/height, triceps skinfold, arm muscle circumference, creatinine-height index, serum protein, albumin, prealbumin, cholinesterase, transferrin, total peripheral lymphocytes, and skin tests. The results were compared with international standards or normal plasma concentrations respectively. Most patients suffered from an alternation of the nutritional parameters indicating malnutrition, mostly Kwashiorkor-Marasmus Mix. Patients with gastrointestinal cancer, especially gastric cancer showed more often a decline of the nutritional status than patients with breast cancer. Malnutrition became more severe with advanced disease. The parameters examined revealed varying significance with respect to the assessment of the nutritional status. Some measurements showed little clinical importance; the reasons are discussed.