Influence of Early vs Late SPN on Long-term Quality of Life in ICU Patients After Gastrointestinal Oncological Surgery

BACKGROUND: Nutrition plays a significant role in ICU treatment, and may influence mortality and length of stay in ICU. Enteral route (EN) is preferential to parenteral route (PN) in provision of daily nutritional requirements. When enteral route is insufficient, supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) is recommended. Optimal timing of SPN in acute phase of illness remains elusive. ICU patients suffer significant lean body mass loss, in majority, in the first 7-10 days of stay. Optimal provision of protein may prevent muscle wasting. Lean body mass is essential for optimal physical functioning after treatment. Although ICU mortality has been reduced lately, the number of patients going to rehabilitation after ICU stay has tripled. Patients after oncological surgery of the gastrointestinal tract may be threatened with impairment of physical functioning after ICU treatment. AIM: To compare the influence of early and late supplemental parenteral nutrition on long-term physical functioning in ICU patients after oncological surgery of the gastrointestinal tract. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, multi-centre assessor-blinded study. METHODS \& ANALYSIS: Patients will be randomised into intervention group that would receive SPN on first day, and would be continued until 7th day of stay in ICU. Control group would receive SPN on 7th day of stay in ICU, when it is not then already met via enteral route. Physical Component of SF-36 Scale at 6 month after ICU admission will be assessed.