A Non-Randomised Matched-Pair Prospective Study to Evaluate Nutritional Assessment and Its Impact on Postoperative Outcome in Head and Neck Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition plays a significant role in the life of every individual and helps in recovering from any injury including surgery. Pre-treatment malnutrition is found in 15%–40% of cases and can influence treatment outcome. The study aims to determine the impact of nutritional status on the post-operative outcome after head and neck cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery for a period of one year from May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Only surgical cases were taken up for the study. The cases (Group A) had a thorough nutritional assessment and dietary intervention if necessary. The dietician did the assessment via Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) questionnaire. After the evaluation, they were again subdivided into two subgroups depending on their nutritional status – well nourished (SGA-A) and malnourished (SGA-B and C). Dietary counselling was given for minimum 15 days preoperatively. The cases were compared with a matched control group (Group B). RESULTS: Both the groups were well matched in terms of the site of primary tumour and duration of surgery. Around 70% were found to be malnourished in Group A. With dietary counselling, there has been a significant improvement in various parameters of post-operative outcome (P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: This study highlights the close association and the importance of nutritional assessment for all head and neck cancer cases planned for surgery for an uneventful post-operative outcome. Adequate nutritional assessment and dietary intervention in the pre-operative period can go a long way in reducing post-operative morbidity in surgical patients.