Missing effect of glutamine supplementation on the surgical outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

The effect of glutamine (Gln) supplementation in patients undergoing a major operation has not been conclusively established. This study was designed to elucidate the effect of Gln supplementation on the surgical outcome after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary tumors.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical trial was undertaken for patients who underwent a classical PD or a pylorus-preserving PD for periampullary tumors. The Gln and control groups received isonitrogenous amino acid, with a 0.2 g/kg per day Gln regimen administered to the Gln group. The surgical outcome was compared in light of length of postoperative hospital stay, nutritional and chemical profiles, and complication rate between the Gln and control groups.

RESULTS

Sixty of the consecutive 143 patients who were admitted to undergo operation for periampullary tumors were enrolled in our study; 32 were in the Gln group and 28 in the control group. The two groups were comparable prior to and during the operation. The median length of the postoperative hospital stay and the postoperative nutritional and chemical profiles were not different between two groups. The overall and PD-related complication rates of the Gln group (37.5% and 25.0%) and the control group (28.6% and 14.3%) were not statistically different.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant beneficial effect of Gln supplementation with a low-dose parenteral regimen was demonstrated on the surgical outcome after a PD for periampullary tumors. Therefore, we should be prudent in using Gln as a routine pharmacologic supplement to the standard nutrition in patients who undergo major operations.