NutriCatt Protocol Improves Body Composition and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery in ERAS Program: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: A poor body composition, often found in elderly patients, negatively impacts perioperative outcomes. We evaluated the effect of a perioperative nutritional protocol (NutriCatt) on body composition and clinical outcomes in a cohort of elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgery in a high-volume center adopting the ERAS program. Methods: 302 out of 332 elderly (>75 years) patients from 2015 to 2020 were identified. Patients were divided according to their adherence, into "NutriCatt + ERAS" (n = 166) or "standard ERAS" patients (n = 136). Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis data were evaluated for NutriCatt + ERAS patients. Complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and other postoperative outcomes were compared between both groups. Results: In NutriCatt + ERAS patients, significant improvements of phase angle (pre-admission vs. admission 4.61 +/- 0.79 vs. 4.84 +/- 0.85; p = 0.001; pre-admission vs. discharge 4.61 +/- 0.79 vs. 5.85 +/- 0.73; p = 0.0002) and body cell mass (pre-admission vs. admission 22.4 +/- 5.6 vs. 23.2 +/- 5.7; p = 0.03; pre-admission vs. discharge 22.4 +/- 5.6 vs. 23.1 +/- 5.8; p = 0.02) were shown. NutriCatt + ERAS patients reported reduced LOS (p = 0.03) and severe complications (p = 0.03) compared to standard ERAS patients. A regression analysis confirmed the protective effect of the NutriCatt protocol on severe complications (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.56; p = 0.009). Conclusions: The NutriCatt protocol improves clinical outcomes in elderly patients and should be recommended in ERAS colorectal surgery.