Precision Dietary Intervention Improves Postoperative Energy Intake, Nutritional Status, and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Liver Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07349576 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024KY-013
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 139
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Objective:To explore the application effect of postoperative refined early dietary plan in the enhanced recovery of patients undergoing hepatectomy for primary liver cancer, and to provide scientific evidence for optimizing postoperative dietary structure and increasing oral energy intake of patients. Methods:In this randomized, parallel-controlled trial, 142 colorectal cancer survivors meeting inclusion criteria were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Hefei, Anhui Province. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the dietary intervention group or the conventional diet group. Both the standard care group and the dietary intervention group received 5 days of routine dietary care. The dietary intervention group additionally received specialized meal plans and whole protein supplements beyond the standard care regimen. Dietary intake, nutritional status, and postoperative recovery outcomes were measured and compared between the two groups.

Conditions

Primary Liver Cancer

Keywords

Primary liver cancer;Hepatectomy;Precision diet;Early feeding;Postoperative rehabilitation;Nutritional care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Prealbumin

  Six days after the operation

• albumin

  Six days after the operation

Study Arms (2)

dietary intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Dietary Supplement: Special diet plan and whole protein preparation NUTRICIA for 5 days after liver resection for liver cancer

standard care group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Conventional dietary intervention

Interventions

Special diet plan and whole protein preparation NUTRICIA for 5 days after liver resection for liver cancer DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

The intervention group, based on the control group, followed the "Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Part II)"and evidence-based summaries, combined with the "Chinese Expert Consensus on Perioperative Management for Hepatectomy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2021 Edition)" and oral nutritional supplementation guidelines, Based on the patient's comorbidities, liver characteristics, and gastrointestinal recovery patterns, a specialized 5-day post-hepatectomy diet plan for liver cancer patients has been developed. Postoperatively, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) were administered at 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM between meals, and at 9:00 PM after dinner, using the whole protein preparation NUTRICIA(specification: 320g/can, manufacturer: Milupa GmbH, Germany, production batch: HJ20170172).

dietary intervention group

Conventional dietary intervention OTHER

After returning to the ward after the operation under the traditional dietary guidance model, the patient regained consciousness under anesthesia without nausea, vomiting, etc., and began to try drinking water. If there are no special conditions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, then starting according to the dietary principles, that is, a liquid diet on the first day after the operation, a semi-liquid diet on the second day, and gradually transitioning to a regular diet from the third day after the operation until discharge based on the patient's tolerance. One to two days after the operation, parenteral nutrition mixtures are routinely infused.

standard care group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• (1) Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma; (2) Underwent elective (partial) hepatectomy; (3) Age 18-80 years; (4) Basically normal renal function and preoperative Child-Pugh liver function grade A or B; (5) Voluntary participation in the study and signed informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• (1) Concurrent malignant tumors; (2) Postoperative deterioration or contraindications to oral intake (e.g., dysphagia, intestinal obstruction); (3) Severe malnutrition or other disorders affecting nutritional metabolism; (4) Major intraoperative complications (e.g., massive hemorrhage, bile leakage, intra-abdominal adhesions); (5) Postoperative transfer to the ICU.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Anhui Provincial Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Anhui Provincal Hospital

Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Digestive System Diseases; Liver Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 13, 2026
• First Posted: January 20, 2026
• Study Start: January 4, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: January 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

CN (1)