Perioperative nutrition and enhanced recovery after surgery in gastrointestinal cancer patients. A position paper by the ESSO task force in collaboration with the ERAS society (ERAS coalition).

Perioperative nutrition and enhanced recovery after surgery in gastrointestinal cancer patients. A position paper by the ESSO task force in collaboration with the ERAS society (ERAS coalition).

Sandrucci et al. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2018 Apr;44(4):509-514. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

What is already known:
Malnutrition is an important risk factor for all patients but in particular those undergoing oncological surgery. It is known to be associated with increased length of stay, increased post-op complications and mortality.

What this paper adds:
This is a combined statement from the ERAS Society and the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO). It discusses the importance and role of a good ERAS programme, nutritional screening, prehabilitation, immunonutrients, the management of the frail and elderly, it even touches on how surgical technique could have an impact.

Chris Jones, Guildford.