Malnutrition and Decreased Phase Angle Predict Postoperative Complications in Oncologic Abdominal Surgery

Preoperative malnutrition and decreased phase angle (< -0.5) on postoperative day 1 were independent predictors of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing major oncologic upper-GI surgery. Patients with malnutrition had a higher complication rate, and a decline in phase angle was associated with a 13% increase in complication risk. Further investigation is needed to determine if proactive interventions can prevent these negative outcomes.