NUTRITION IN SURGICAL PATIENTS
Causes of Malnutrition in Surgical Patients
- Poor dietary intake before surgery
- Prolonged fasting before surgery
- Inadequate post-operative nutrition
- Increased metabolic rate during surgery and recovery
- Malabsorption due to gastrointestinal surgery or disease
- Increased caloric expenditure due to wound healing and inflammation
- Lack of knowledge about nutritional requirements
- Socioeconomic factors
Consequences of Malnutrition in Surgical Patients
- Delayed wound healing
- Increased risk of infections
- Poor surgical outcomes
- Longer hospital stays
- Increased risk of complications
- Delayed recovery
- Reduced quality of life
- Increased risk of mortality
Nutritional Requirements of Surgical Patients
- Protein: 1-1.5 grams/kg body weight/day
- Carbohydrates: 2-3 grams/kg body weight/day
- Fat: 0.5-1 gram/kg body weight/day
- Calories: 20-25 kcal/kg body weight/day
- Essential vitamins and minerals: adequate intake
Methods of Providing Nutritional Support
- Enteral nutrition (EN): through a feeding tube in the stomach or small intestine
- Parenteral nutrition (PN): through intravenous administration
- Oral nutrition: through food and fluids
Types of Artificial Nutritional Support
- Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding
- Nasoenteric tube (NET) feeding
- Gastrostomy tube (G-tube) feeding
- Jejunostomy tube (J-tube) feeding
- Central venous catheter (CVC) feeding
Homoeopathic Therapeutic Approach
- Consult a homoeopathic physician for individualized treatment
- Use homoeopathic remedies to boost immunity and aid recovery
- Remedies such as Calcarea carb, Phosphorus, and Silica may be prescribed
Important Points
- Nutritional assessment and planning are crucial in surgical patients
- Early enteral nutrition is recommended after surgery
- Parenteral nutrition may be necessary in cases of severe malnutrition or bowel obstruction
- Oral nutrition is the preferred method of nutritional support
- Regular monitoring of nutritional status is essential in surgical patients