Benefits of post-operative oral protein supplementation in gastrointestinal surgery patients: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Aim: To evaluate published trials examining oral post-operative protein supplementation in patients having undergone gastrointestinal surgery and assessment of reported results.

Methods: Database searches (MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Cochrane Trials, Cinahl, and CAB), searches of reference lists of relevant papers, and expert referral were used to identify prospective randomized controlled clinical trials. The following terms were used to locate articles: "oral'' or "enteral'' and "postoperative care'' or "post-surgical'' and "proteins'' or "milk proteins'' or "dietary proteins'' or "dietary supplements'' or "nutritional supplements''.