Clinical Efficacy of Perioperative Immunonutrition Containing Omega-3-Fatty Acids in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) as a complementary in colorectal cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in developed countries. Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) have been suggested as a beneficial complementary treatment due to their ability to regulate inflammatory responses and improve nutrition levels.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of O3FAs as a complementary treatment for inflammation, nutrition levels, post-operative infectious complications, and enhancement of recovery in CRC patients.

METHODS

The literature search was carried out through three databases. The outcomes of interest were assessed by measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and CRP levels, serum albumin levels for nutrition assessment, post-operative infectious complications, and length of stay for recovery evaluation. Quality appraisal and meta-analysis were performed using RoB 2.0 and RevMan 5.4, respectively.

RESULTS

The result showed that O3FAs significantly reduced IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α, but did not affect IL-1β. Furthermore, the variable slightly increased serum albumin levels and the supplementation led to a decrease in post-operative infectious complications and shortened hospital stays.

CONCLUSION

O3FAs as a complementary treatment provided advantages for CRC patients, Further clinical trials and experiments should also be made emphasizing the impact and clinical implementation of O3FA in the nutritional status of CRC patients.

Pharmaconutrition: Which substrates?

With the term "pharmaconutrition" or "immunonutrition" is intended the use of specific nutritional substrates having the ability of modulating specific mechanisms involved in several immune and inflammatory pathways. To achieve these goals, these substrates have to be administered with over physiologic dose. Glutamine and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, used as single substrate, did not show clear clinical advantages on solid endpoints such as postoperative complications. Despite several multiple substrate enteral feeds are available on the market, very few of them have been tested in randomized clinical trial to prove efficacy. The most extensive investigated formulation is a combination of arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, ribonucleic acid with or without glutamine. Several meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials have been conducted to compare the effects of enteral immunonutrition with control diets on post-surgical morbidity. The results consistently showed that the use of enteral multiple substrate formulas significantly reduced infectious complications and duration of hospitalization. In a more contemporary view, pharmaconutrition should be tested more accurately in the contest of enhanced recovery programs, during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and in the prehabilitation setting.

A Point-Based Risk Calculator for Mortality After Hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Preoperative risk stratification for hepatectomy patients can aid clinical decision making. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine postoperative mortality risk factors and develop a score-based risk calculator using a limited number of preoperative predictors to estimate mortality risk in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

Data were collected from patients that underwent hepatectomy from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset from 2014 to 2020. Baseline characteristics were compared between survival and 30-day mortality cohorts using the χ 2 test. Next, the data were split into a training set to build the model and a test set to validate the model. A multivariable logistic regression model modeling 30-day postoperative mortality was trained on the training set using all available features. Next, a risk calculator using preoperative features was developed for 30-day mortality. The results of this model were converted into a score-based risk calculator. A point-based risk calculator was developed that predicted 30-day postoperative mortality in patients who underwent hepatectomy surgery.

RESULTS

The final dataset included 38,561 patients who underwent hepatectomy. The data were then split into a training set from 2014 to 2018 (n = 26,397) and test set from 2019 to 2020 (n = 12,164). Nine independent variables associated with postoperative mortality were identified and included age, diabetes, sex, sodium, albumin, bilirubin, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), international normalized ratio, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification score. Each of these features were then assigned points for a risk calculator based on their odds ratio. A univariate logistic regression model using total points as independent variables were trained on the training set and then validated on the test set. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve on the test set was 0.719 (95% confidence interval, 0.681-0.757).

CONCLUSIONS

Development of risk calculators may potentially allow surgical and anesthesia providers to provide a more transparent plan to support patients planned for hepatectomy.

The effect of preoperative oral nutritional supplementation on surgical site infections among adult patients undergoing elective surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Mixed findings are reported on the effect of oral nutritional supplements in reducing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMED, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched. Studies from inception to July 2022 were included if they involved adults undergoing elective surgery and compared preoperative macronutrient oral nutritional supplements to placebo/standard diet.

RESULTS

Of 372 unique citations, 19 were included (N ​= ​2480): 13 RCTs (N ​= ​1506) and 6 observational studies (N ​= ​974). Moderate-certainty evidence suggested that nutritional supplements SSI risk (OR 0.54, 95% C.I. 0.40-0.72, N ​= ​2718 participants). In elective colorectal surgery, this risk-reduction was 0.43 (95% C.I. 0.26-0.61, N ​= ​835 participants) and among patients who received Impact 0.48 (95% C.I. 0.32-0.70, N ​= ​1338).

CONCLUSION

Oral nutritional supplements prior to adult elective surgery may significantly reduce SSIs, with an overall 50% protective effect. This protective effect persisted in subgroup analysis of colorectal surgery patients and the use of Impact.

Nutritional Management of a Liver Transplant Candidate

Nearly two-thirds of patients with cirrhosis suffer from malnutrition resulting from multiple contributory factors such as poor intake, accelerated starvation, catabolic milieu, and anabolic resistance. Nutritional assessment and optimization are integral to adequate management of a liver transplant (LT) candidate. A detailed nutritional assessment should be done at baseline in all potential transplant candidates with periodic reassessments. Sarcopenia is defined as a reduction in muscle mass, function, and/or performance. Skeletal muscle index at 3rd lumbar vertebra determined by computed tomography is the most objective tool to assess muscle mass. Hand-grip strength and gait speed are simple tools to gauge muscle strength and performance, respectively. Sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and myosteatosis portend poor outcomes. Sarcopenia contributes greatly to frailty, which is a syndrome of reduced physiological reserve and impaired response to stressors. Dietary interventions must ensure adequate calorie (35-40 kcal/kg/day) and protein (1.2-1.5 gm/kg/day) intake via multiple frequent meals and late-evening calorie-dense snack. Micronutrient supplementation is essential, keeping in mind the etiology of cirrhosis. Individualized, gradually up-titrated exercise prescription consisting of both aerobic and resistance training of 150 min/week is advisable after appropriate risk assessment. Early initiation of enteral nutrition within 12-24 h of LT is recommended. Data with respect to immune-nutrition, monomeric formulas, and hormone replacement remain conflicting at present. A multidisciplinary team comprising of hepatologists, transplant surgeons, intensivists, dieticians, and physiotherapists is vital to improve overall nutrition and outcomes in this vulnerable group.

Preoperative Nutritional Status and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Prior to Radical Cystectomy: A Review of the Literature

Preoperative nutritional status is an important and modifiable risk factor of a patient's recovery and outcome after radical cystectomy. There are multiple malnutrition screening tools and treatment options. In this review, we discuss the best indicators of this condition and how to optimize nutrition status prior to radical cystectomy.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Postoperative Inflammatory Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Initial evidence indicates that preoperatively initiated administration of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) attenuates the postoperative inflammatory reaction. The effects of immunonutrition containing omega-3 FAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on the inflammatory response to abdominal surgery continues to be unclear, although improved outcomes have been reported. Therefore, we determined the effectiveness of preoperatively initiated omega-3 FAs administration on postoperative inflammation defined as CRP (C-Reactive Protein), IL-6 (Interleukin 6), and WBC (White Blood Count) and potential effects on postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) due to an improved inflammatory response.

METHODS

a literature search of Cochrane Library was conducted to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of preoperatively initiated omega-3 to standard care, placebo, or other immunonutrients excluding omega-3 FAs in patients undergoing abdominal surgery until the end of December 2022.

RESULTS

a total of 296 articles were found during the initial search. Thirteen RCTs involving 950 patients were identified that met the search criteria. These were successively analyzed and included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to inflammatory markers IL-6: -0.55 [-1.22; 0.12] p = 0.10, CRP: -0.14 [-0.67; 0.40] p = 0.55, WBC: -0.58 [-3.05; 1.89] p = 0.42, or hospital stay -0.5 [-1.43; 0.41] p = 0.2.

CONCLUSION

although reduced inflammatory markers were observed, preoperative administration of omega-3 FAs immunonutrients had no significant effect on the postoperative inflammatory response in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. Yet, results obtained from this study are inconclusive, likely attributed to the limited number of trials and patients included. Further studies are required to obtain a better educated verdict.

Effects of Immunonutrition on Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Scoping Review

Introduction: There is a large body of evidence about immunonutrition formulas; however, there are still doubts about their usefulness in routine clinical practice as compared with standard formulas. In the age of personalized medicine, new studies appear every year regarding several types of patients; therefore, an updated point of view on these formulas is necessary. Methods: The Embase database was searched from 2016 to 14 March 2022. Our criteria were articles published in English and Spanish. The evidence quality was evaluated using GRADEpro, and the review was developed according to the PRISMA statement. Results: In this review, a total of 65 unique records were retrieved; however, 36 articles did not meet the inclusion criteria and were thus excluded. In total, 29 articles were included in the final analysis. In the last few years, many meta-analyses have attempted to identify additional existing studies of surgical patients with certain pathologies, mainly oncological patients. Immunonutrition prior to oncological surgery was shown to cause a decrease in inflammatory markers in most of the studies, and the main clinical events that changed were the infectious complications after surgery. The length of stay and mortality data are controversial due to the specific risk factors associated with these events. Conclusions: The use of immunonutrition in patients who have undergone oncological surgery decreases the levels of inflammatory markers and infectious postoperative complications in almost all localizations. However, more studies are needed to assess the use of immunonutrition based on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.

Efficacy and safety of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adjuvant treatments for colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third globally. There are many adverse reactions to treatments such as surgeries and post-surgical chemotherapy, which affect patients' prognosis and reduce their life quality. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3FAs) have become an essential part of immune nutrition due to their anti-inflammatory properties, which improve body immunity and have attracted widespread attention. A systematic review focused on the efficacy and safety of O3FAs for patients undergoing surgeries in combination with chemotherapy or a surgery alone is lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of O3FAs in the adjuvant treatment of CRC, a meta-analysis was conducted on patients with CRC who underwent surgeries in combination with chemotherapy or a surgery alone. Methods: As of March 2023, publications have been obtained using search terms from digital databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of O3FAs following adjuvant treatments for CRC were included in the meta-analysis. Key outcomes were tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), albumin, body mass index (BMI), weight, the rate of infectious and non-infectious complications, the length of hospital stay (LOS), CRC mortality and life quality. Results: After screening 1,080 studies, 19 RCTs (n = 1,556) with O3FAs in CRC were included, in all of which at least one efficacy or safety outcome was examined. Compared to the control group, the level of TNF-α (MD = -0.79, 95% CI: 1.51 to -0.07, p = 0.03) and IL-6 was reduced due to O3FA-enriched nutrition during the perioperative period (MD = -4.70, 95% CI: 6.59 to -2.80, p < 0.00001). It also reduces LOS (MD = 9.36, 95% CI: 2.16 to 16.57, p = 0.01). No significant differences were found in CRP, IL-1β, albumin, BMI, weight, the rate of infectious and non-infectious complications, CRC mortality or life quality. The inflammatory status of patients with CRC undergoing adjuvant therapies decreased after a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) O3FA supplementation (TNF-α, MD = -1.26, 95% CI: 2.25 to -0.27, p = 0.01, I ² = 4%, n = 183 participants). The rate of infectious and non-infectious complications was reduced among patients with CRC undergoing adjuvant therapies after a parenteral nutrition (PN) O3FA supplementation (RR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.52 to 9.17, p = 0.004, I ² = 0%, n = 76 participants). Conclusion: Our observations suggest that supplementation with O3FAs has little or no effect on patients with CRC undergoing adjuvant therapies and that a prolonged inflammatory state may be modified. To validate these findings, well-designed, large-scale, randomized and controlled studies on homogeneous patient populations are expected.

Knowledge and Practices of Digestive Surgeons concerning Specialized Nutritional Support in Cancer Patients: A Survey Study

A survey study based on a 21-item questionnaire was conducted to assess knowledge and practices of digestive surgeons focused on nutritional support in gastrointestinal cancer patients. At least 5 staff digestive surgeons from 25 tertiary care hospitals throughout Spain were invited to participate and 116 accepted. Malnutrition was correctly defined by 81.9% of participants. In patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, 55.2% considered that preoperative nutritional support is indicated in all patients with malnutrition for a period of 7-14 days. For the diagnosis of malnutrition, only 18.1% of participants selected unintentional weight loss together with a fasting or semi-fasting period of more than one week. Regarding the advantages of enteral infusion, 93.7% of participants considered preservation of the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and barrier function, and in relation to peripheral parenteral nutrition, 86.2% selected the definition of nutrient infusion through a peripheral vein and 81.9% its indication for less than 7 days. Digestive surgeons had a limited knowledge of basic aspects of clinical nutrition in cancer patients, but there was some variability regarding clinical practice in individual cases. These findings indicate the need to develop standardized clinical protocols as well as a national consensus on nutrition support in cancer patients.