Randomized controlled clinical trial assessing the effects of oral nutritional supplements in postoperative gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative weight loss and malnutrition are major issues in gastric cancer patients. The concept of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) is gaining widespread acceptance. We investigated the effects of ONS administration on postoperative body weight loss in patients with gastric cancer who had undergone total gastrectomy or distal gastrectomy.

METHODS: Patients were randomized to either the treatment or the control group. In both groups, standard surgery for gastric cancer was performed. In the treatment group, intervention with ONS was performed until 12 weeks after discharge. In the control group, patients were fed the usual postoperative diet. Weight, body composition, quality of life, hematological parameters, and blood chemistry were evaluated.

RESULTS: We analyzed 113 cases (73 distal gastrectomy, 40 total gastrectomy). Weight loss in the ONS group after total gastrectomy was significantly less than that in the control group. Weight loss and skeletal muscle mass loss after distal gastrectomy did not differ significantly between the ONS and control groups.

CONCLUSION: This study showed ONS after total gastrectomy to significantly diminish postoperative weight loss.