Original Communication Randomized clinical trial with an enteral arginine-enhanced formula in early postsurgical head and neck cancer patients D A de Luis1, O Izaola1, L Cuellar1, M C Terroba1 and R Aller2 1Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School and Unit of Investigation, Hospital Rio Hortega, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain 2Hospital Clinico, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain Correspondence to: Dr D A de Luis, Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School, Valladolid University, C/Los perales 16, Urb Las Aceñas, Simancas, 47130 Valladolid, Spain. E-mail: dadluis@yahoo.es Abstract Objective: Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing surgery have a high incidence of postoperative complications. The aim of our study was to investigate whether postoperative nutrition of head and neck cancer patients using an arginine-enhanced formula could improve nutritional variables as well as clinical outcomes. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Tertiary care. Subjects: A population of 90 patients with oral and laryngeal cancer was enrolled. Interventions: At surgery, patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (a) patients receiving an arginine-enhanced formula with arginine and fiber (group I) and (b) patients receiving an isocaloric, isonitrogenous formula with fiber enteral formula (group II). Results: No significant intergroup differences in the trend of the three plasma proteins (albumin, transferrin, prealbumin) and lymphocytes were detected. Gastrointestinal tolerance (diarrhea) was better in group II than I (40% group I and 13% group II: P<0.05). The postoperative complications due to infections were similar in both groups (4% group I and 9% group II: ns). Fistula (wound complication) was less frequent in the enriched nutrition group (5% group I and 11% group II: P<0.05); wound infection was similar in both groups. The length of postoperative stay was better in group I than II (25.8±15 days vs 35±24.6 days; P<0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, arginine-enhanced formula improves fistula rates in postoperative head and neck cancer patients and decreases length of stay. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 1505-1508. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601999 Published online 12 May 2004 November 2004, Volume 58, Number 11, Pages 1505-1508 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.