Immunonutrition in fast-track surgical patients — evidence review and adapted algorithm

Surgical stress predisposes patients to have immune dysfunction and an increased risk of infection. Malnourished surgical patients have higher postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, higher readmission rates, and higher hospital costs. The use of an immunomodulatory formula is associated in the ESPEN guidelines with a reduction in wound healing problems, suture failure, and infectious and global complications. Several authors have suggested that, since most clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of immunonutrition have been carried out in a traditional perioperative setting, it would be interesting to investigate its efficacy in a more controlled setting, such as in the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) protocol. The objective of this work was: a) to define the role that immunonutrition should play in ERAS protocols based on the best scientific evidence available; b) to analyze the difficulties that continue to exist in real-life clinical practice to screen the nutritional risk of patients; c) to make a proposal of algorithms adapted to the characteristics of our environment regarding the screening, assessment, and nutritional treatment of surgical patients in fast-track surgery.