Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Postsurgical patients with head and neck cancer could have a high rate of ambulatory complications. The aim of our study was to investigate whether oral ambulatory nutrition of post surgical head and neck cancer patients with recent weight loss, using an omega 3 fatty acids and arginine diet could improve nutritional status and complications.

DESIGN:

A population of 30 ambulatory post surgical patients with oral and laryngeal cancer and recent weight loss was enrolled. At Hospital discharge post surgical head and neck cancer patients were asked to consume two cans per day of a specially designed omega 3 fatty acid and arginine enhanced supplement during 12 weeks.

RESULTS:

The average age was 62.7 + 11.1 years (3 females/27 males). The average days of dietary suplementation was 90.8 + 22 days. Blood albumin, prealbumin, transferring and lymphocites concentrations improved. C reactive protein decreased. Neither weight improvement nor other anthropometric parameters improved. A positive correlation between ratio w3/w6and kg of fat mass (r = 0.69; p < 0.05) and with midarm circumference (r = 0.62; p < 0.05) were detected. Patients were divided in two groups; group I (ratio dietary intake w3/w6 < 0,51) and group II (ratio dietary intake w3/w6 > 0,51). Group II had more final fat mass than group I (17.52 + 6.3 kg vs. 13.9 + 5.1 kg; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

At dose taken, inmuno-enhanced formula increased blood proteins (albumin, prealbumin and transferrin) concentrations and decresed CRP. The increase of fat mass was higher in patients with better w3/w6 ratios.