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Randomized clinical trial with an enteral arginine-enhanced formula in early postsurgical head and neck cancer patients

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 1505–1508 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing surgery have a high incidence of postoperative complications. The aim of our study was to investigate whether postoperative nutrition of head and neck cancer patients using an arginine-enhanced formula could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcomes.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Tertiary care.

Subjects: A population of 90 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer was enrolled.

Interventions: At surgery, patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) patients receiving an arginine-enhanced formula with arginine and fiber (group I) and (b) patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous formula with fiber enteral formula (group II).

Results: No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three plasma proteins (albumin, transferrin, prealbumin) and lymphocytes were detected. Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea) was better in group II than I (40% group I and 13% group II: P<0.05). The postoperative complications due to infections were similar in both groups (4% group I and 9% group II: ns). Fistula (wound complication) was less frequent in the enriched nutrition group (5% group I and 11% group II: P<0.05); wound infection was similar in both groups. The length of postoperative stay was better in group I than II (25.8±15 days vs 35±24.6 days; P<0.05).

Conclusions: In conclusion, arginine-enhanced formula improves fistula rates in postoperative head and neck cancer patients and decreases length of stay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School and Unit of Investigation, Hospital Rio Hortega, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

    D A de Luis, O Izaola, L Cuellar & M C Terroba

  2. Hospital Clinico, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

    R Aller

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  1. D A de Luis
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  2. O Izaola
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  3. L Cuellar
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  4. M C Terroba
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  5. R Aller
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Correspondence to D A de Luis.

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de Luis, D., Izaola, O., Cuellar, L. et al. Randomized clinical trial with an enteral arginine-enhanced formula in early postsurgical head and neck cancer patients. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1505–1508 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601999

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