Key Points
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Standard enteral preparations have been modified by adding specific nutrients: arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides.
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These up-regulate host immune response, to control inflammatory response, and to improve nitrogen balance and protein synthesis after injury.
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The majority of randomized trials focused on clinical outcome have been carried out in GI cancer elective surgical patients.
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When immunonutrition was limited to postoperative period the results were conflicting.
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Better results on outcome were obtained when the provision of the immunoenhancing diet was anticipated before surgery.
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This allowed to significantly reduce postoperative infection rate either in malnourished or in well nourished patients.
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Cost–benefit analyses showed that immunonutrition resulted in a positive cost-effectiveness ratio compared to conventional treatment.
Keywords
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Braga, M., Rocchetti, S. (2011). Preoperative Immunonutrition: Cost–Benefit Analysis. In: Gerald, J., Watson, R., Preedy, V. (eds) Nutrients, Dietary Supplements, and Nutriceuticals. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-308-4_20
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