Perioperative nutrition is a crucial area within clinical nutrition that has gained significant attention due to its demonstrated impact on surgical outcomes. Traditionally, the focus during the perioperative period has been on surgical techniques and postoperative care; however, recent evidence underscores the importance of nutritional status both before and after surgery. Patients in a poor nutritional state are often at greater risk of complications, prolonged recovery times, and increased healthcare costs. As such, the integration of targeted nutritional strategies is becoming an essential part of preoperative and postoperative care protocols. Despite the growing body of evidence supporting perioperative nutrition, there remain gaps in standardized guidelines and practices, creating a fertile ground for further research and discussion.

While this Research Topic emphasizes the importance of perioperative nutrition, it also aims to broaden the perspective to include general nutritional habits and baseline dietary patterns. Long-term nutrition—whether omnivorous, vegetarian, vegan, or otherwise—may influence not only the patient’s nutritional status at the time of surgery but also their recovery and susceptibility to complications. Understanding these underlying dietary influences could lead to more personalized and effective perioperative nutrition plans.

Therefore, this Research Topic aims to delve into the multifaceted role of nutrition throughout the perioperative period and beyond, with the overarching goal of identifying effective interventions that support optimal surgical recovery. The primary objective is to clarify the impact of nutrition on surgical outcomes and recovery times, and to identify evidence-based nutritional interventions that can be implemented during the perioperative period to enhance patient outcomes. Key questions include: What specific nutritional interventions have been shown to improve recovery in surgical patients? How does nutritional optimization prior to surgery affect postoperative complication rates? How do baseline dietary patterns impact surgical outcomes and recovery?

To build a comprehensive framework that shifts the current perioperative care paradigm to include nutrition as a fundamental component, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Nutritional assessment tools and their role in perioperative care.
• Impact of specific nutrients and dietary interventions pre- and post-surgery.
• Influence of long-term dietary patterns and baseline nutrition on perioperative outcomes.
• Multidisciplinary approaches in perioperative nutrition planning.
• The economic implications of nutritional care in surgical settings.
• Role of immune-modulating nutrients in surgical recovery.

We invite original research, review articles, clinical trials, and case studies that contribute to advancing knowledge in this vital area of healthcare, with the collective aim of supporting personalized and effective perioperative nutrition protocols for improved surgical outcomes.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

The Role of Nutrition in Enhancing Surgical Recovery and Outcomes