Immunonutrition vs. Standard Oral Nutritional Supplements in Prehabilitation for Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial Assessing Morbidity and Body Composition by Computed Tomography

Background/Objectives: Perioperative immunonutrition (IMN) has been proposed to improve outcomes after colorectal surgery. However, the evidence is heterogeneous, and few studies have assessed morbidity together with computed tomography (CT)-derived body composition. We compared IMN with standard oral nutritional supplementation (SONS) in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery, evaluating postoperative complications and changes in body composition.

Methods

Two-arm open-label randomized clinical trial including sixty patients (SONS: n = 30; IMN: n = 30). Postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien–Dindo classification, and the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI). Body composition was quantified using pre- and postoperative CT scans, analyzing the skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) and psoas area.