The role of nutritional support in reducing postoperative complications in malnourished patients with colorectal cancer

Introduction. Malnutrition is a major problem in patients with colorectal cancer, affecting the incidence of postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and overall survival. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of postoperative nutritional support on clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer and malnutrition. Materials and methods. A prospective, randomised, controlled trial was conducted in 170 patients with colorectal cancer and identified malnutrition undergoing elective surgery. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: a specialised therapeutic nutrition group and a control group. The incidence of postoperative complications, albumin levels, inflammatory markers (crp, nlr, plr, apri) and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Results. The use of specialised therapeutic nutrition in the postoperative period helped to reduce the incidence of all postoperative complications (21 % vs. 41 %, p<0,006), including infectious complications (8 % vs. 22 %, p=0,018). Patients on total parenteral nutrition had a faster recovery of albumin levels and a significant decrease in inflammatory markers (crp, nlr, plr, apri). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the therapeutic nutrition group (14 [12; 17] days vs. 17 [14; 22] days, p<0,0001). Discussion. According to the results of the study, malnutrition is a significant risk factor for postoperative complications. The use of specialised therapeutic nutrition improves the nutritional status of patients and has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, reducing the risk of complications and accelerating recovery. This study demonstrates for the first time the effectiveness of postoperative specialised therapeutic nutrition in patients with colorectal cancer and malnutrition. Conclusion. This study is the first of its kind, not only in Russia, confirming the clinical benefits of specialised therapeutic nutrition in colorectal cancer patients with malnutrition in the postoperative period, which emphasises the need to implement standardised protocols of nutritional support to reduce the incidence of complications and improve postoperative recovery.