A systematic review of the role of immunonutrition in patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer

10 trials of polymeric nutritional supplementation with immunonutrition were identified; one compared two types of immunonutrition. There was little evidence of heterogeneity. Pooled estimates showed a reduction in length of hospital stay by 3.5 days (95% CI 0.7 to 6.3 day, P < 0.01). No reductions in clinical complications were seen. Perioperative immunonutrition is associated with reduced length of hospital stay; the mechanism is unclear as other outcomes were not improved. Trials were small with incomplete reporting of outcomes. An adequately powered trial is required to substantiate benefit.