Nutritional Management of Surgical Patients in a Federal Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Edo State

Perioperative nutrition management significantly influences surgical outcomes including wound healing, infection rates, length of hospital stay, and postoperative recovery. This study examines nutritional management practices for adult surgical patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, South South Nigeria. The nutritional status of surgical patients is frequently compromised by disease-related catabolism, pre-surgical fasting, and postoperative dietary restrictions, yet systematic nutritional screening and support remain inconsistent in Nigerian surgical units. A prospective descriptive study was conducted over four months, enrolling 160 adult patients scheduled for elective abdominal and orthopaedic surgeries. Nutritional risk was screened preoperatively using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 tool. Preoperative dietary intake, postoperative nutritional support type and duration, and anthropometric changes were recorded. Time to first oral feeding post-surgery and incidence of postoperative complications were documented. Semi-structured interviews with surgeons and ward nurses assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward perioperative nutrition protocols. Findings are expected to show high rates of nutritional risk at admission, delayed initiation of enteral feeding post-surgery, and inadequate use of nutritional supplements. Gaps in interdisciplinary communication between surgeons, nurses, and dietitians are highlighted. The study recommends the establishment of formal perioperative nutrition protocols and nutrition support teams in Nigerian teaching hospitals. Keywords: perioperative nutrition, surgical patients, nutritional screening, Benin City, postoperative recovery.