Timothy J. Babineau

Early enteral feeding in postsurgical cancer patients : Fish oil structured lipid-based polymeric formula versus a standard polymeric formula

OBJECTIVES The authors compared the safety, gastrointestinal tolerance, and clinical efficacy of feeding an enteral diet containing a fish oil/medium-chain triglyceride structured lipid (FOSL-HN) versus an isonitrogenous, isocaloric formula (O-HN) in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery for upper gastrointestinal malignancies. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Previous studies suggest that feeding with n-3 fatty acids from fish oil can alter eicosanoid and cytokine production, yielding an improved immunocompetence and a reduced inflammatory response to injury. The use of n-3 fatty acids as a structured lipid can improve long-chain fatty acid absorption. METHODS This prospective, blinded, randomized trial was conducted in 50 adult patients who were jejunally fed either FOSL-HN or O-HN for 7 days. Serum chemistries, hematology, urinalysis, gastrointestinal complications, liver and renal function, plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid analysis, urinary prostaglandins, and outcome parameters were measured at baseline and on day 7. Comparisons were made in 18 and 17 evaluable patients based a priori on the ability to reach a tube feeding rate of 40 mL/hour. RESULTS Patients receiving FOSL-HN experienced no untoward side effects, significant incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid into plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids, and a 50% decline in the total number of gastrointestinal complications and infections compared with patients given O-HN. The data strongly suggest improved liver and renal function during the postoperative period in the FOSL-HN group. CONCLUSION Early enteral feeding with FOSL-HN was safe and well tolerated. Results suggest that the use of such a formula during the postoperative period may reduce the number of infections and gastrointestinal complications per patient, as well as improve renal and liver function through modulation of urinary prostaglandin levels. Additional clinical trials to fully quantify clinical benefits and optimize nutritional support with FOSL-HN should be undertaken.

Randomized phase I/II trial of a macrophage-specific immunomodulator (PGG-glucan) in high-risk surgical patients

ObjectiveThe safety and efficacy of PGG-glucan in surgical patients at high risk for postoperative infection who underwent major thoracic or abdominal surgery were determined. Summary Background DataRecent studies have reported a 25% to 27% infectious complication rate in patients undergoing major surgery with an average cost per infected patient of

Role of staging laparoscopy in the treatment of hepatic malignancy

12,000. The efficacy of PGG-glucan pretreatment in prevention of sepsis has been demonstrated in rodent models for gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial and yeast infections. In vitro studies have demonstrated enhanced microbial killing by monocytes and neutrophils in healthy volunteers after PGG-glucan administration. Thus, PGG-glucan may play a role in decreasing the infectious complication rate in patients undergoing major surgery. MethodsA double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was performed in 34 high-risk patients undergoing major abdominal or thoracic surgery. ResultsThere were no adverse drug experiences associated with PGG-glucan infusion. Patients who received PGG-glucan had significantly fewer infectious complications (3.4 infections per infected patient vs. 1.4 infections per infected patient, p = 0.05), decreased intravenous antibiotic requirement (10.3 days vs. 0.4 days, p = 0.04) and shorter intensive care unit length of stay (3.3 days vs. 0.1 days, p = 0.03). ConclusionsPGG-glucan is safe and appears to be effective in the further reduction of the morbidity and cost of major surgery.

Effect of a fish oil structured lipid-based diet on prostaglandin release from mononuclear cells in cancer patients after surgery.

Despite current radiologic imaging capabilities, 40% to 70% of patients with primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies are found to have unresectable disease at the time of laparotomy. The present study evaluates the use of laparoscopy in the staging of hepatic malignancy. Twenty-nine patients underwent staging laparoscopy prior to a planned laparotomy for resection of a hepatic malignancy that was deemed resectable by computed axial tomographic scan and ultrasonography. Twelve patients had primary hepatic malignancies, and 17 had metastatic malignancies. Laparoscopy demonstrated evidence of unresectability in 48% (14 of 29) of patients studied. Four patients had unsuspected cirrhosis, and 10 had unresectable or extrahepatic metastatic disease. Patients who underwent laparoscopy alone had shorter mean hospital lengths of stay than historical controls who underwent laparotomy alone. We conclude that diagnostic laparoscopy should precede laparotomy for planned resection of hepatic malignancies.

Reevaluation of current transfusion practices in patients in surgical intensive care units

BACKGROUND The authors compared the effect on eicosanoid production (prostaglandin E2 [PGE2], 6-keto PGF 1 alpha, and thromboxane B2) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of feeding an enteral diet containing a fish oil/medium-chain triglyceride structured lipid (FOSL-HN) vs an isonitrogenous, isocaloric formula (O-HN) in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery for upper gastrointestinal malignancies. A previous study, which used the same formulas and experimental design, suggested improved renal and liver function as well as a reduced number of gastrointestinal and infectious complications with the use of fish oil structured lipids. This study sought to investigate the potential mechanism for these effects by assessing eicosanoid production from PBMC with the two diets. METHODS This prospective, blinded, randomized trial was conducted in 20 patients who were jejunally fed either FOSL-HN or O-HN for 7 days. Serum chemistries, hematology, urinalysis, gastrointestinal complications, liver and renal function, and eicosanoid production from isolated PBMC, either unstimulated or stimulated with endotoxin, were measured at endotoxin baseline and on day 7. Comparisons were made in 10 and 8 evaluable patients based a priori on the ability to reach a tube feeding rate of > 40 mL/h. RESULTS Patients receiving FOSL-HN experienced no untoward side effects compared with patients given O-HN and demonstrated the same general trend toward improved hepatic, renal and immune function found in the previous study. There was a significant reduction in PGE2 (p < .03) and 6-keto PGF 1 alpha (p < .01) production from PBMC with endotoxin stimulation in patients receiving FOSL-HN. CONCLUSIONS The results of early enteral feeding with FOSL-HN after surgery in this follow-up study provide further support to claims of safety, tolerance, and improved physiologic function. There was an associated reduction in eicosanoid production from PBMCs, which is presumed to be the principal mechanism for these effects.

A Proposed Revision of Current ICD-9-CM Malnutrition Code Definitions

Widespread interest in the complications associated with packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions has led to the scrutiny of traditional transfusion practices. Recently, attempts have been made to define more clearly the indications for PRBC transfusions in patients, particularly those who are critically ill. At present, however, transfusions continue to be ordered based on a hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL. We report herein the impact on oxygen consumption of PRBC transfusions administered for a hemoglobin concentration less than 10 g/dL in 30 surgical intensive care unit patients who were euvolemic and hemodynamically stable. For the group as a whole, transfusion had a negligible effect on oxygen consumption. Fifty-eight percent of all such transfusions failed to change oxygen consumption by greater than 10% and could therefore be considered of questionable benefit.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: a five-year experience.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is as common today in adult medical and surgical patients as it was when it was first identified more than 25 years ago. Under the current diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system, malnutrition is considered a comorbidity or complicating condition. Thus, the identification and coding of malnutrition through the use of the International Classification of Diseases, ninth edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) malnutrition codes can potentially change a patients DRG and subsequently increase the amount of reimbursement a hospital receives. Unfortunately, the definitions for the current ICD-9-CM malnutrition diagnosis codes were developed principally in relation to clinical syndromes of primary PEM seen in pediatric age groups in less developed countries, rather than in relation to syndromes seen in hospitalized adult patients in industrialized societies. This discrepancy often leads to confusion and inconsistency when institutions attempt to code adult patients for malnutrition. Furthermore, inaccurate coding can result in inadequate reimbursement or rejection of a claim. Clearly, a separate description of the different forms of PEM seen in adults is needed not only for optimal application of nutrition support therapies but also for accurate medical records, quality assurance procedures, and reimbursement purposes. On the basis of 20 years of experience providing nutrition support to hospitalized adult patients, this article presents a schema developed at the Deaconess Hospital (Boston,Mass) that attempts to better define adult PEM using the ICD-9-CM malnutrition codes. The purpose of this article is to foster discussion and ultimately promote general agreement about a definition of adult PEM.

Indications for total parenteral nutrition in the hospitalized patient: A prospective review of evolving practice

Our institution is a tertiary referral center that specializes in hepatobiliary surgery. To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and conversion rate of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with hepatic cirrhosis, we conducted a retrospective analysis of all cirrhotic patients undergoing attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the period from 1991 to 1996. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was made on the basis of either a preoperative history, a liver biopsy, or the surgeon’s operative description of the liver. All patients had early, well-compensated cirrhosis (Child’s class A or B). A total of 30 patients underwent attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy and five patients were converted to an open procedure (17%). The conversion rate for elective cases was 5% compared with 36% for urgent procedures. Two patients were converted because of varices and three because of unclear anatomy. No patients were converted because of bleeding. There were no operative deaths. The complication rate for elective procedures was 16%, with an average length of stay of 2.1 days, compared with 36% and 4.8 days, respectively, for urgent cases. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with early, well-compensated cirrhosis is safe and should be the treatment of choice for these patients.

Nutrition support for patients after cardiopulmonary bypass: required modifications of the TPN solution.

The indications for initiating total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were prospectively evaluated in 100 consecutive patients at a tertiary referral hospital with a long-standing Nutritional Support Service to illustrate the reasons why the parenteral route was chosen at this unique institution in terms of patient population. Sixty male and 40 female patients, average age 59 +/- 17 years (range 22-86 years), were classified a priori as to the underlying reasons for initiation of TPN. The study was conducted by a Nutrition Support Service at this hospital without pediatric, trauma, or burn services specializing in the care of patients with diabetes mellitus. Of the 100 patients, 63% were from the surgical service; 24% had diabetes mellitus. Their mean weight (118 +/- 29% of ideal), body mass index (25 +/- 6 kg/m(2)), and serum albumin (2.8 +/- 0.7 g/dL) indicated a reasonable body composition with a moderate systemic inflammatory response. Six patients received preoperative TPN for an average of 5 +/- 3 days with a variety of diagnoses including malignancy, Crohns disease, bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The underlying reasons for initiating nutritional support were related to three factors that largely determine the need for involuntary feeding: preexisting protein calorie malnutrition, actual or anticipated semistarvation for a prolonged period, and the presence of a systemic inflammatory response. The choice of TPN was based on anticipated or proven intolerance to full enteral feeding. The duration of time before initiation of TPN postoperatively was 6 +/- 5 days, which reflects our policy that initially well-nourished patients who are experiencing a systemic inflammatory response should not undergo more than 5 to 7 days of inadequate feeding. The duration of TPN overall was 11 +/- 10 days, which primarily illustrates the dramatic reduction in length of hospital stay that has occurred throughout the health care system and the willingness to provide TPN in alternative settings including transitional care units, rehabilitation hospitals, and for short-term care, the patients home. The most common specific reasons identified for initiating TPN rather than enteral nutrition were ileus (25%), an underlying acid-base or electrolyte/mineral disorder (13%) requiring correction, and the convenience of TPN because a central venous catheter was in place (12%). The usual indication for nutritional support at this tertiary referral and specialty hospital was actual or impending protein calorie malnutrition. TPN was chosen for a variety of reasons related to actual or anticipated tolerance to enteral feeding. This audit demonstrates that our TPN practice has evolved in relation to time of initiation and duration of feeding, which reflect a clearer appreciation of the risks and benefits of TPN.

Early Postoperative Glucose Control Predicts Nosocomial Infection Rate in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to identify the unique metabolic characteristics of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery who require postoperative parenteral nutrition. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Patients undergoing CPB surgery occasionally develop postoperative complications that result in the need for nutrition support. Although enteral nutrition is generally the preferred feeding route, symptomatic hyperlipasemia has been described in critically ill CPB patients receiving enteral nutrition proximal to the ligament of Treitz. In such instances, enteral feeding must be temporarily discontinued or severely curtailed, thereby necessitating the initiation of parenteral nutrition for full or partial support. METHODS The period from 1988 through 1993 during which time 4091 CPB procedures were performed was reviewed. Data were retrospectively collected on 208 (5%) of the patients who underwent CPB who developed postoperative complications that necessitated the initiation of parenteral nutrition (PN) support. A random sample of 79 patients who underwent CPB who did not require PN were selected as controls. RESULTS Patients requiring PN after CPB were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of diabetes and metabolic complications, specifically volume overload, hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis, uremia, and hyperglycemia, than those patients who did not require PN after CPB. In addition, patients requiring PN after CPB were significantly more hypotensive and required more vasopressive drugs during the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery than control patients. CONCLUSIONS In patients with postoperative complications after CPB, PN is often necessary to correct the metabolic characteristics of overhydration, hyponatremia, uremia, hyperglycemia, and alkalosis.