Perioperative Immunonutrition Intervention and Oral Decontamination in Elderly Surgical Patients

Elderly patients are vulnerable to postoperative complications. Preoperative malnutrition and poor oral hygiene are risk factors for postoperative complications especially pulmonary complications. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of perioperative oral decontamination and immunonutrition supplement on reducing postoperative complications in elderly surgical patients.

Inclusion Criteria:age≥65 years;undergoing non-cardiac surgery (expected duration >2 hours);scheduled for general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation;ASA classification I-IV;with intermediate to high risk of respiratory complications assessed by ARISCAT score (Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia);inform consent obtainedExclusion Criteria:emergency surgery;preoperative pneumonia;allergic to chlorhexidine;severe hepatic/renal dysfunction, incapable of oral feeding, with autoimmune diseases, taking immunosuppressant or immunoregulation medications, or with other contraindication to immunonutrition supplementation;expected intervention of immunonutrition<3 days.