Effects of nutritional status on postoperative mortality and morbidity in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

One of the important factors affecting the body functions of the patients and closely related to postoperative morbidity and mortality is the nutritional status of the person. It is a known fact that nutritional status and deficiencies will have a positive effect on prognosis. Although the likelihood of developing malnutrition in hospitalized patients is known, the nutritional status of the patients is still unknown. Although the gold standard used in the diagnosis of malnutrition is not accepted as a standard, many laboratory and screening methods are frequently used. These include Body Mass Index, Subjective Global Assessment and NRS-2002. Nutritional status has a key role in the results of surgery, especially in patients planned for surgery due to gastrointestinal malignancy. NRS and SGD values may be predictive of malnutrition and major abdominal surgical complications. Therefore, evaluation and treatment of nutritional status can reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, shorten hospital stay, improve quality of life and decrease cost rates. In our study, it was determined that NRS and SGD had significantly higher postoperative mortality and morbidity in patients with severe malnutrition. In the light of these studies, the determination of nutritional status in the preoperative period; Providing support to the patients will contribute to the reduction of postoperative complication rates and mortality.