Perioperative oral nutritional supplements in normally or mildly undernourished geriatric patients submitted to surgery for hip fracture: a randomized clinical trial

60 normally nourished or mildly undernourished elderly patients with hip fractures requiring surgery were randomized to receive energy-protein supplements, providing 40 g of protein and 400 kcal daily, or no intervention. Patients were assessed for serum protein, body mass index, and postoperative complications. Supplemented patients had significantly greater serum albumin compared to controls, and supplemented protein was significantly associated with fewer postoperative complications.