Nutrition and the Elderly Surgical Patients

Abstract

Malnutrition is common among the elderly surgical patients. The surgical injuries to tissues cause a cascade of endocrine and metabolic changes which can impede full recovery after surgery. Active screening for malnutrition, proactive preoperative intervention and nutritional support postoperatively have all been shown to reduce breakdown of muscle mass, reduce catabolism and insulin resistance due to surgical injuries and reduce postoperative complications.