Preoperative parenteral nutrition of malnourished surgical patients.

Malnutrition is associated with increased incidence of surgical complications and mortality. The efficacy of preoperative parenteral nutrition in preventing septic states and mortality was evaluated in malnourished patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. The patients were allocated to three groups according to criteria of malnourishment. In all groups parenteral nutrition decreased the incidence of septic complications and serious sepsis as compared with control patients.