The Effect of the Immediate Postoperative Nutritional Status in Liver Transplant Recipients in SICU on Clinical Outcome

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the immediate postoperative nutritional status and calorie adequacy on clinical outcomes in liver transplant recipients. Methods: A total number of 99 patients who received liver transplants were recruited from a tertiary university hospital. Demography, subjective global assessment, clinical outcomes and calorie adequacy were evaluated through personal interviews, electronic medical records and dietary records. Anthropometric measures, body mass index and percent of ideal body weight were also obtained. Results: At admission to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), the triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm muscle circumference were significantly lower in the malnourished group than in the well-nourished group (p < .05, respectively). In the clinical outcomes, transfusion of red blood cells, mechanically ventilated hours, length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), length of stay in the hospital, and prothrombin time were significantly higher in the malnourished group than in the well-nourished group (p < .05, respectively). The mechanically ventilated hour was significantly higher in the group with less than 50% of their required energy intake (p < .05). Conclusion: Therefore, it is important to assess the nutritional status of immediate postoperative patients. Furthermore, studies on nutritional interventions are urgently needed to provide adequate nutritional care for patients in ICUs.