Preoperative sarcopenia and its impact on postoperative complications in laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery: a clinical analysis

​Our findings clearly indicate that while preoperative sarcopenia does not elevate the risk of postoperative dysphagia, it significantly delays the recovery of gastrointestinal function and leads to lower albumin levels following surgery in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients. This underscores the critical clinical importance of recognizing sarcopenia as a modifiable preoperative risk factor. We therefore propose the integration of routine sarcopenia screening into the preoperative assessment for gastroesophageal reflux disease patients. For those diagnosed with sarcopenia, a targeted prehabilitation protocol emphasizing nutritional support and physical training could be implemented to potentially enhance surgical tolerance and recovery outcomes. Future studies are warranted to validate the efficacy of such prehabilitation strategies and to further investigate the precise molecular mechanisms through which sarcopenia impedes postoperative recovery.