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Perioperative nutrition: what do we know?
Abstract
Immunonutrition, as part of ERAS has also been reported to derive beneficial effects in surgery patient outcomes but current clinical practice guidelines are inconsistent with regards to the administration of specific immunonutrients. Arginine is an immunonutrient that is of specific interest in surgical patients due to an assumed deficiency thereof. Insufficient arginine levels can lead to immunosuppression with an increased risk for complications. Available evidence indicates that all patients undergoing elective surgery with substantial risk of infectious complications should be prescribed arginine-supplemented diets along with omega-3 fatty acids, preferably pre- and postoperatively. No recommendations can be made on the practice of combined glutamine and arginine supplementation.