Ultrasound of thigh muscle to track nutrition and outcomes in postoperative ICU patients

Ultrasound Indicators of Nutritional Status and Treatment Outcomes in Surgical Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Observational Osijek University Hospital · NCT07475767

We will try using bedside ultrasound of the quadriceps to see if muscle thickness and related measures reflect nutrition and predict recovery for patients after surgery in the ICU.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorOsijek University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Osijek)
Trial IDNCT07475767 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project at Osijek University Hospital will enroll postoperative patients admitted to the surgical ICU and perform bedside ultrasound measurements of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Investigators will compare muscle thickness and ultrasonographic indicators with standard nutritional markers (BMI, albumin, hemoglobin), NRS/MUST scores, and clinical frailty ratings. Clinical outcomes including ICU length of stay, complications, and recovery will be recorded to see whether ultrasound measures correlate with treatment course and outcomes. Patients with right-leg surgery or spinal paralysis are excluded and no interventional treatments are given as part of the protocol.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult postoperative patients admitted to the surgical ICU who can consent (or have a consenting guardian) and do not have right-leg surgery or paralysis.

Not a fit: Patients who had surgery on the right leg, have paraplegia or tetraplegia, or are not in the surgical ICU are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, bedside ultrasound could provide a quick, noninvasive way to identify malnutrition and frailty and help tailor nutritional and clinical care for surgical ICU patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising correlations between muscle ultrasound and nutritional status or outcomes, but results are still emerging and not yet definitive.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* postoperative intensive care

Exclusion Criteria:

* surgery of the right leg
* paraplegia, tetraplegia
* refusal of the patient/guardian to participate in the research (informed consent not signed)

Where this trial is running

Osijek

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Nutritional StatusMuscle Thickness of the Quadriceps FemorisFrailtyRisk AssessmentUltrasonographyIntensive Care UnitsPostoperative Care
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.