Randomized clinical trial with an enteral arginine-enhanced formula in early postsurgical head and neck cancer patients.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing surgery have a high incidence of postoperative complications. The aim of our study was to investigate whether postoperative nutrition of head and neck cancer patients using an arginine-enhanced formula could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcomes.

DESIGN:

Randomized clinical trial.

SETTING:

Tertiary care.

SUBJECTS:

A population of 90 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer was enrolled.

INTERVENTIONS:

At surgery, patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) patients receiving an arginine-enhanced formula with arginine and fiber (group I) and (b) patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous formula with fiber enteral formula (group II).

RESULTS:

No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three plasma proteins (albumin, transferrin, prealbumin) and lymphocytes were detected. Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea) was better in group II than I (40% group I and 13% group II: P<0.05). The postoperative complications due to infections were similar in both groups (4% group I and 9% group II: ns). Fistula (wound complication) was less frequent in the enriched nutrition group (5% group I and 11% group II: P<0.05); wound infection was similar in both groups. The length of postoperative stay was better in group I than II (25.8+/-15 days vs 35+/-24.6 days; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

In conclusion, arginine-enhanced formula improves fistula rates in postoperative head and neck cancer patients and decreases length of stay.

• Authors: D A de Luis, O Izaola, L Cuellar, M C Terroba, R Aller
• Journal: European journal of clinical nutrition (Eur J Clin Nutr) Vol. 58 Issue 11 Pg. 1505-8 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0954-3007 [Print] England
• PMID: 15138461 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Arginine

Topics

• Arginine (therapeutic use)
• Diarrhea (epidemiology)
• Enteral Nutrition
• Female
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (surgery, therapy)
• Humans
• Length of Stay
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Care
• Postoperative Complications (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Wound Healing (drug effects)