Anthropometric nutritional assessment is of value in colorectal patients

Eighty patients undergoing elective major colorectal surgery were nutritionally assessed using simple anthropometric methods and serum albumin. Although most of the patients were not malnourished, these tests were able to detect a small group of high-risk patients. Thirty major complications were recorded. The incidence of complications was 72 per cent in patients with low body weight, 69 per cent with low forearm muscle circumference, 55 per cent with recent weight loss, and 57 per cent with serum albumin below 35 g/l. Anthropometric tests were better in predicting postoperative complications than serum albumin. Of those patients who developed complications, 60 per cent had low grip strength, 37 per cent weight loss, 37 per cent high malnutrition score, 33 per cent low body weight, and 27 per cent had lower serum albumin. Anthropometric tests were more sensitive and more accurate than serum albumin. Anthropometry has the additional advantages of being simple, noninvasive, and independent of laboratory facilities; it also provides instant bedside assessment.