Refeeding syndrome after radical cystoprostatectomy: A case report

Described as a potentially lethal condition that occurs in undernourished patients, refeeding syndrome (RFD) is a severe electrolyte disturbance that includes low intracellular serum concentrations of phosphor, magnesium and potassium in patients undergoing inappropriate oral or parenteral renutrition. We report a case of RFD in a 50-year-old male patient that occurs 22 days after a radical cystoprostatectomy. The patient was anorexic after the surgery, the body mass index decreased to 12,36 kg/m(2). The concentrations of albumin, magnesium, phosphor, and calcium were low. The Patient was admitted into the intensive care unit for severe cachexia and poor general condition 24 after introduction of parenteral nutrition (1500 Kcal/day). The evolution was lethal with multiple organ failure.