Nutritional support in gastrointestinal surgery: an overview.

Nutritional status is important in determining the outcome of surgical patients. This is particularly so in patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) surgical procedures. It is important for the GI surgeon to be always aware that he has to assess the nutritional status of his patient, provide supplementation when required and have the means to get enteral and/or parenteral access when required. He must have the knowledge to choose the right route and formula for nutritional support. This evidence-based review gives an overview of the subject with the purpose of increasing awareness about the science of surgical nutrition.