Nutrients and the surgical patient: current and potential therapeutic applications to clinical practice.

Malnutrition and weight loss are associated with alterations in cellular physiology and organ function, which are of importance for the surgical patient. Pre-operative weight loss can lead to increased post-operative morbidity and mortality. This review addresses the following questions: (a) what effects can key nutrients have on the immune system, metabolism and wound healing in man, and which may be of potential benefit to the surgical patient? (b) can clinically beneficial effects be demonstrated if patients receive nutritional supplementation with one of these key nutrients? (c) what effects does nutritional supplementation with combinations of these nutrients have on clinical outcomes?