[Current aspects of the diagnosis of the nutritional status in surgery]

An exact nutritional assessment is a prerequisite for parenteral, enteral or parenteral-enteral nutrition, especially after extended operations or during conservative therapy. By using biochemical methods (visceral proteins), anthropometric measurement (body mass, triceps skinfold, arm muscle circumference, creatinine-index) and immunological procedures (total lymphocyte count and skin testing with recall-antigens) it is possible to determine exactly the nutritional status, severity and type of malnutrition. Furthermore the patients immunocompetence can be evaluated. Determining the digestion and resorption capacity enables the route of application to be chosen.