Immunonutrition in surgical patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review.

Introduction

surgery in patients with colorectal cancer often leads to complications, affecting recovery, prolonging hospital stay, and impacting quality of life. Immunonutrition plays an important role by modulating the immune system and may contribute to the reduction of these complications.

Objective

to assess the effect of immunonutrient supplementation on complications in surgical patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and methods: a literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane, following the PRISMA model. A total of 20 clinical trials and two observational studies published between 2000 and 2025 were selected, analyzing postoperative complications, physical or nutritional status, immune response, and length of hospital stay.

Results

a reduction in postoperative complications was observed with combined immunonutrient supplementation (arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, nucleotides, L-alanine, and L-glutamine), particularly in wound infections. No benefits were found with isolated supplementation.

Conclusion

combined immunonutrient administration may improve postoperative complications, especially wound infections, although results regarding hospital stay are inconsistent. Isolated supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids shows no benefit.