Impact of Preoperative Nutritional Optimization on Surgical Outcomes in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients

Abstract

A significant proportion of gastrointestinal cancer patients suffer from preoperative malnutrition due to the impact of the disease and its associated treatments on appetite, absorption, and metabolism. This is also linked to increased surgical complications, delayed wound healing, higher morbidity rates, and longer hospital stays. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of improved preoperative nutrition on surgical outcomes in gastrointestinal cancer patients by analyzing the relationship between preoperative nutritional intervention and complication rates, recovery speed, length of hospital stays, and overall surgical outcome quality. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing nutritional assessment tools, medical records, clinical follow-up, and appropriate statistical analyses to compare patients who received preoperative nutritional improvement with those who did not. The findings underscore the critical importance of preoperative nutrition as a modifiable factor contributing to better postoperative recovery, reduced complications, support for evidence-based medical practice, and improved healthcare quality for gastrointestinal cancer patients