Efficacy of EPA‐enriched supplement compared with standard formula on body weight changes in malnourished patients with head and neck cancer undergone surgery: a randomized study

BACKGROUND: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) containing nutritional supplement can reverse weight loss and increase lean body mass in a perioperative period of patients with head and neck cancer. To study effects of an EPA-enriched supplement compared with a conventional supplement in malnourished patients with head and neck cancer following surgery is primary objective. METHODS: The patients were randomized into EPA-enriched and standard formula group. The supplements were prescribed 7 days preoperative through 14 days postoperative. Body weight and composition including serum parameters were measured from 7 days preoperative until 4 months postoperative. The hospitalized courses were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients in each group consumed EPA-enriched and standard formula supplements. There was no significant body weight or composition changes perioperative. No significant differences in the hospitalized days and postoperative complications was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Body weight changes in malnourished patients with head and neck cancer following surgery were not influenced by EPA additives to perioperative nutritional supplements.