ABSTRACT
Introduction As long ago as 1936, Studley reported that weight loss was the basic indicator of surgical risk' and thus the concept of peri-operative nutritional support having some relevance to surgical outcome was bom. More recently appreciation that undemutrition is prevalent in up to 40% of hospital admissions has strengthened the need for guidance as to whom and how surgeons should manage nutrition in and around surgical intervention
Far from an established practice, peri-operative nutritional support remains an infrequently and variably addressed therapy, despite significant data to suggest that when given to the appropriate patients and via an appropriate route it can significantly reduce post-operative morbidity (in particular infectious complica tions) and reduce hospital stay.
