Perioperative Nutritional Optimization in Spine Surgery

Although spine surgery has been shown to be an effective treatment for many spinal disorders, perioperative complications can increase patient morbidity and lead to poorer surgical outcomes. Nutritional status is a modifiable factor that affects spine surgery results. Malnutrition can negatively influence inflammatory pathways and can change circulating stress hormones. Perioperative nutrition status can be evaluated by both clinical and laboratory parameters, with nutritional indices allowing for determination of perioperative risk. Perioperative nutritional optimization has been attempted and has been associated with improved outcomes, for patients undergoing spine surgery. Additional investigation is needed to determine effective perioperative nutritional protocols.