Annals of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

Guideline

The 2024 Korean Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guidelines for hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery: Kwangpyo Hong, Hongbeom Kim, Hyung Sun Kim, Hae Won Lee, Ho Joong Choi, YoungRok Choi, Jae Do Yang, Sung-Moon Jeong, Dae Wook Hwang, Do Joong Park, Sang-Jae Park, The Korean Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Committee within the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2025;17(3):172-180. Published online December 1, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.25.0034

Purpose
The Korean Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Committee within the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition has developed comprehensive guidelines for hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgery by adapting established international protocols. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations specifically tailored to the Korean healthcare system and address perioperative management for both pancreatoduodenectomy and hepatectomy.
Methods
The HBP subcommittee reviewed existing international ERAS guidelines and conducted an adaptation process. Key questions were identified based on national survey results from Korean HBP surgeons and were prioritized according to clinical relevance. The committee focused on elements supported by moderate- to high-quality evidence with strong recommendation grades. Literature searches were conducted through January 2025, and evidence quality was evaluated using GRADE methodology. Four key questions underwent formal assessment, and eight additional questions were adapted from international guidelines.
Results
Twelve key questions were selected and addressed, covering critical perioperative care domains: prehabilitation, preoperative nutritional assessment and support, anti-thrombotic prophylaxis, prophylactic abdominal drainage, preoperative biliary drainage, smoking and alcohol cessation, pre-anesthetic medication, minimally invasive surgical approaches, prophylactic nasogastric intubation, postoperative glycemic control, perianastomotic drainage management, and early mobilization protocols. Each recommendation was assigned specific evidence levels and graded for strength. High-quality evidence supported strong recommendations for the routine avoidance of prophylactic drainage in uncomplicated hepatectomy, early drain removal after pancreatoduodenectomy in low-risk patients, elimination of routine nasogastric decompression, and the implementation of early mobilization strategies.
Conclusion
These Korean-adapted ERAS guidelines for HBP surgery are expected to standardize perioperative care, reduce postoperative complications, shorten hospital stays, and enhance overall patient outcomes across Korean healthcare institutions.

Citations

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Adapting Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery: a Korean perspective
Sang Hyun Shin
Ann Clin Nutr Metab.2026; 18(1): 1. CrossRef

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Original Articles

Perioperative nutritional practice of surgeons in Korea: a survey study: Ji-Hyeon Park, Mi Ran Jung, Sang Hyun Kim, Hongbeom Kim, Gyeongsil Lee, Jae-Seok Min, Heung-Kwon Oh, Jung Hoon Bae, Yoona Chung, Dong-Seok Han, Seung Wan Ryu, The External Relation Committee of the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2024;16(3):134-148. Published online December 1, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.2024.16.3.134

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Purpose: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols advocate reduced fasting and early nutrition to improve recovery in surgical patients. However, data on ERAS implementation among Korean surgeons performing major abdominal surgeries remain sparse.
Methods: A survey conducted by the External Relation Committee of the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition assessed perioperative nutritional practices among 389 Korean general surgeons from February to September 2023. The survey covered preoperative fasting, carbohydrate drinks, nasogastric tube use, postoperative dietary progression, parenteral nutrition (PN), and oral supplements, yielding 551 responses stratified by specialty.
Results: More than 80% of respondents practiced “midnight NPO (Nil Per Os)” fasting, often at the anesthesiology department’s request, while 70%–80% reported no use of preoperative carbohydrate drinks. Most surgeons began dietary progression with water on postoperative day one, advancing to a liquid or soft diet by day two. PN was routinely prescribed by 49% of respondents, with a common dosage of 1,000–1,500 kcal/d. Oral supplements were selectively provided, with 21% of surgeons prescribing them universally.
Conclusion: The results reveal significant variability in perioperative nutrition practices across Korean surgical specialties, with many adhering to traditional practices despite ERAS guidelines. These findings highlight a need for standardized guidelines in Korea to optimize perioperative nutritional support and improve patient recovery outcomes following major abdominal surgeries.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Development of the Korean enhanced recovery after surgery audit program
Soo-Hyuk Yoon, Jae-Woo Ju, Ho-Jin Lee, Jeesun Kim, Min Jung Kim, Ji Won Park, Do Joong Park, Seung Yong Jeong
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Perioperative nutrition practices in gastrointestinal cancer surgery: A nationwide survey among German surgical departments
Rahel Maria Strobel, Katharina Beyer, Johannes Christian Lauscher, Marc Martignoni, Christoph Reißfelder, Tim Vilz, Arved Weimann, Maria Wobith
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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Incidence and risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease after pancreaticoduodenectomy in Korea: a multicenter retrospective cohort study: Chang-Sup Lim, Hongbeom Kim, In Woong Han, Won-Gun Yun, Eunchae Go, Jaewon Lee, Kyung Chul Yoon, So Jeong Yoon, Sang Hyun Shin, Jin Seok Heo, Yong Chan Shin, Woohyun Jung; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2024;16(3):125-133. Published online December 1, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.2024.16.3.125

Abstract PDF: Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) following pancreaticoduodenectomy, focusing on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy and other metabolic changes.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 189 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2013 and 2016. NAFLD was diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) imaging, defined as a liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio <0.9. Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity were assessed using preoperative CT scans. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for NAFLD development.
Results: The cumulative incidence of NAFLD increased over time, with rates of 15.9% at one year, 20.4% at three years, and 35.2% at five years post-pancreaticoduodenectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was identified as the only significant independent predictor of NAFLD development (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-6.70; P=0.023). No significant associations were found between NAFLD and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), sarcopenia, or sarcopenic obesity. Serial analysis of NAFLD status in long-term survivors revealed dynamic changes, with some patients experiencing spontaneous remission or recurrence.
Conclusion: NAFLD is a common, progressive complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy, particularly in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Although no significant associations with PERT or sarcopenia were observed, these areas warrant further investigation. Long-term monitoring and targeted management strategies are recommended to address NAFLD in this population. Future prospective studies are needed to elucidate the natural history and contributing factors of NAFLD after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

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Preoperative consumption of a carbohydrate drink before laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and beneficial in Korea: a non-randomized controlled study: Yoo Jin Choi, Yoonhyeong Byun, Seong Mi Yang, Ho-Jin Lee, Hongbeom Kim; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2023;15(1):15-21. Published online April 1, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.2023.15.1.15

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Purpose: Overnight fasting prior to elective surgery is the traditional way of avoiding the risk of aspiration during anesthesia induction. However, it causes mental and metabolic stress to patients. Therefore, we investigated the safety and potential benefits of the preoperative consumption of a carbohydrate drink.
Methods: This was a single-center prospective, nonrandomized study with questionnaire. Patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. There was no restriction on age, underlying diseases, and biliary drainage prior to surgery. They were preoperatively given either a carbohydrate drink or were instructed to fast from midnight before surgery. Perioperative emotional status was measured using the visual analog scale.
Results: The 132 patients completed the questionnaire, with 68 receiving the carbohydrate drink and 64 following nil per oral after-midnight instruction. There were no postoperative complications related to preoperative drink consumption or the cholecystectomy procedure itself in both groups. There were no significant differences in all the assessed feelings postoperatively except that preoperative discomforts, such as hunger and thirst, were significantly more alleviated in the group of preoperative consumption of a carbohydrate drink.
Conclusion: Preoperative consumption of a carbohydrate drink was found to be safe and effective in alleviating preoperative discomfort in elective surgery patients, including older patients and those with underlying comorbidities, who were at greater risk for aspiration. Therefore, we recommend considering preoperative drink consumption as an alternative to traditional overnight fasting in elective surgery patients.

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MODERN CONCEPT OF POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING URGENT LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY
O. PYLYPENKO, O. KRAVETS
Pain anesthesia and intensive care.2024; (4(109)): 55. CrossRef

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Nutritional Status of Patients with Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgical Disease: Sang Soo Eom, Yong Chan Shin, Chang-Sup Lim, In Woong Han, Woohyun Jung, Yoonhyeong Byun, Dong Wook Choi, Jin Seok Heo, Hongbeom Kim; Surg Metab Nutr 2020;11(2):46-52. Published online December 30, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.18858/smn.2020.11.2.46

Abstract PDF

Purpose: This study examined the nutritional status of patients with hepatobiliary-pancreatic diseases before surgery to establish basic reference data.
Materials and Methods: This study evaluated retrospectively 2,322 patients admitted for hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery between 2014 and 2016 at four Korean medical institutions using the body mass index (BMI) score. The prognostic nutrition index (PNI) was calculated in patients diagnosed with malignant diseases.
Results: The mean BMI was 24.0 kg/m² (range, 13.2~39.1 kg/m²). The patients were classified as low BMI (<21.5 kg/ m², below 25 percentile), intermediate BMI (21.5~25.5 kg/m²), and high BMI (>25.5 kg/m², above 75 percentile). There were significant differences in the age, sex distribution, ASA classification, type of hospitalization, biliary drainage, organ, and pathology diagnosis between the pairs among the low, intermediate, and high BMI groups. Among the three BMI groups, the complication rate of the low BMI group was highest (34.4% vs. 29.7% vs. 25.8% P=0.005). The median lengths of hospital stay in the low, intermediate, and high BMI groups were 9, 9, and 7 days, respectively (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed the risk factors of the low BMI group to be a higher ASA classification, biliary drainage, pancreatic disease, and malignant disease. The group with PNI<45 had significantly longer hospital stays than the group with PNI≥45 (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Patients with a low BMI had a higher ASA classification, preoperative biliary drainage, pancreatic disease, and malignant disease. The low PNI group had significantly longer hospital stays than the high PNI group. Screening of the preoperative nutritional status is necessary for assessing the risk of malnutrition and its treatment.

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Machine learning-based prediction model for post-ERCP cholangitis in patients with malignant biliary obstruction: a retrospective multicenter study
Hengwei Jin, Xu Sun, Chang Fu, Changqing Fan, Junhong Chen, Ziyu Zhang, Yibo Yang, Xiaoyu Fan, Ye He, Siyuan Yin, Kai Liu
Surgical Endoscopy.2025; 39(8): 5107. CrossRef

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Recovery Pattern of the Nutritional Status after Surgical Treatment for Pancreatic Head Disease: Compared with Malignancy and Non-malignancy: Eunjung Kim, Youngmin Han, Hongbeom Kim, Wooil Kwon, Sun-Whe Kim, Jin-Young Jang; Surg Metab Nutr 2018;9(2):51-58. Published online December 30, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.18858/smn.2018.9.2.51

Abstract PDF

Purpose:

Malnutrition affects the clinical outcomes of pancreatic disease. On the other hand, the changes in the nutritional status stratified by malignant and non-malignant diseases after surgery still need to be determined. The aim was to confirm the changing nutritional status and clinical outcomes after a pancreatoduodenectomy according to malignant and non-malignant disease.

Materials and Methods:

Data were collected prospectively from 157 patients between 2009 and 2015. The nutritional status was classified as well-nourished, at-risk of malnutrition, and malnourished by a Mini Nutrition Assessment. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the postoperative complication, hospital stay, biochemical nutritional markers, and quality-of-life (QOL).

Results:

Preoperatively, the proportion of malnourished status in the malignant disease group (group B) were 66.7% and 33.3% in the non-malignancy group (group A). The malnutrition rate in group B was higher than that in group A at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery (58.1% vs. 41.9%, 90.0% vs. 10.0, 77.8% vs. 22.2%, respectively). The preoperative QOL was significantly lower in group B than in group A (P<.001); however, the QOL was comparable between the two groups after surgery. The body mass index was unrecovered after surgery in all groups.

Conclusion:

Patients with malignant pancreatic disease are more likely to suffer from a poor nutritional status than those with non-malignant pancreatic disease. One year after the pancreatoduodenctomy, the at-risk of malnutrition and malnourished rate were found to be over 70% in all patients. Therefore, more efforts will be needed to improve the nutritional status in pancreatic head disease.

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Factors Affecting Nutritional Index and Length of Stay in Pancreatic Cancer in the Older Adults
So Young Jun, Mo Na Choi, Joon Seong Park, Hyang Kyu Lee
Asian Oncology Nursing.2023; 23(3): 91. CrossRef

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