The Effect of Preoperative Nutritional Support on Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Gastric Cancer: A Single Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: Weight loss and malnutrition are frequently observed in patients with gastric cancer. Therefore, nutrition is important, especially in patients with gastric cancer. In this study, we aimed to identify the effect of preoperative nutritional support on postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with gastric cancer. Material and Method: A total of 110 patients underwent gastrectomy due to gastric cancer between December 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. It was determined whether the patients were given preoperative and postoperative nutritional support. Clinicopathological features and short-term results were compared. Results: Overall morbidity was 29.1% (n=32) in patients who underwent gastrectomy. It was observed that the rate of major complications increased statistically with increasing age (p<0.001). Comorbidity was also found to be a risk factor for major complications (OR 3.917, 95% CI 1.423-10.781; p=0.006). The incidence of complications increases especially in patients with a diagnosis of diabetes (OR 3.743, 95% CI 1.201-11.666; p=0.040). While anastomotic leak developed in 6.7% (n=2) of the patients who were taken preoperative nutrition, anastomotic leak developed in 10% (n=8) of the patients who were not taken nutritional support (p=0.588). Likewise, the relationship between the postoperative length of stay, postoperative complications and mortality of patients receiving preoperative nutritional support could not been proven. Conclusion: The present study reveals that preoperative nutrition in patients with gastric cancer was not associated with improved morbidity and mortality rates. Large, multicenter prospective studies focusing on preoperative nutritional support are needed to uncover the exact relation of preoperative nutrition and morbidity-mortality rates in patients with gastric cancer.