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Preoperative Immunonutrition: Cost–Benefit Analysis

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Key Points

  • Standard enteral preparations have been modified by adding specific nutrients: arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides.

  • These up-regulate host immune response, to control inflammatory response, and to improve ­nitrogen balance and protein synthesis after injury.

  • The majority of randomized trials focused on clinical outcome have been carried out in GI cancer elective surgical patients.

  • When immunonutrition was limited to postoperative period the results were conflicting.

  • Better results on outcome were obtained when the provision of the immunoenhancing diet was anticipated before surgery.

  • This allowed to significantly reduce postoperative infection rate either in malnourished or in well nourished patients.

  • Cost–benefit analyses showed that immunonutrition resulted in a positive cost-effectiveness ratio compared to conventional treatment.

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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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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-308-4_20

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-307-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-308-4

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