Personalized nutrition to support recovery after a Whipple (pancreatic) operation
Implication of Nutritional Intervention in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Whipple Procedure/Pylorus Preserving Pancreatoduodenectomy
This will test whether personalized nutrition plans (calorie and protein targets with enteral or IV feeds) help people having a Whipple operation recover faster and have fewer complications.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore - Pakistan Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Lahore) |
| Trial ID | NCT07560540 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study will enroll 20 adults undergoing elective Whipple procedure (open or laparoscopic) at Shalamar Hospital in Lahore and deliver personalized medical nutrition therapy before and after surgery. Nutrition targets are 25–30 kcal/kg and 1.2–1.5 g/kg protein with enteral or parenteral support as needed, and care will follow ERAS guidelines. Investigators will track body composition, weight maintenance, biochemical labs (LFTs, RFTs, CBC, CRP, electrolytes, coagulation, HbA1c), muscle preservation, postoperative complications, and length of stay. Follow-up visits are planned at two weeks, three months, and six months, with nutrition adjusted for patients who do or do not receive chemotherapy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) scheduled for an elective Whipple/PPPD for malignancy of the pancreatic head, distal common bile duct, periampullary region, or duodenum are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients having emergency procedures, those undergoing Whipple for non-malignant reasons, or those with severe preoperative issues preventing oral intake are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce postoperative complications, preserve muscle and nutritional status, and shorten hospital stays after a Whipple operation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work on perioperative nutrition and ERAS in abdominal and pancreatic surgery suggests benefits for recovery and complications, but tailored nutrition programs specifically after Whipple are less well studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Malignancy of; * Distal common bile duct * Pancreatic head * Periampullary * Duodenal * Patients scheduled for elective Whipple's procedure (laparoscopic and open) * Age 18 and above Exclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing Whipple's procedure for reasons other than malignancy * Patients undergoing emergency procedures * Patients with significant preoperative complications prohibiting oral intake * Age below 18
Where this trial is running
Lahore
- Shalamar Hospital — Lahore, Pakistan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Javeriya Afzal, MPhil Food and Nutrition
- Email: javeriyaafzal23@gmail.com
- Phone: 00923244090078
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.