Malnutrition is a common problem among patients with head and neck cancer and can have adverse effects on overall health and treatment outcomes. Nutritional and physical prehabilitation are potential strategies to optimize the nutritional status of these patients. This systematic review aimed to identify and describe prehabilitative interventions that can promote an improvement in nutritional status. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in the databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and on the platform Web of Science and in Cochrane Library. The selected studies concern adults with head and neck tumours, not malnourished at the time of diagnosis, who undergo nutritional or physical prehabilitation. Out of 1369 results, 7 studies were included. Multimodal prehabilitation interventions that combine nutritional counseling, oral nutritional supplements, and swallowing exercises to prevent dysphagia have shown positive outcomes in maintaining caloric intake, body weight, swallowing ability, and a reduced incidence of fibrosis in the upper gastrointestinal tract, as well as improving quality of life. Despite the limited number of clinical studies available in the literature, the results suggest that nutritional and physical prehabilitation interventions have a positive effect on the nutritional status and clinical outcomes of patients with head and neck cancer, helping mitigate the risk of malnutrition and improve general well-being.

Background: Preoperative malnutrition is a significant factor in patients with pancreatic tumors undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the association between preoperative malnutrition and delayed discharge within a ten-day timeframe and potential correlations between preoperative malnutrition and postoperative surgical complications. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, recruiting a final sample of 79 patients with benign or malignant cephalic pancreatic tumors from 2015 to 2022. The risk of malnutrition was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, while length of hospital stay and relevant clinical data were extracted from clinical documentation. Results: The preoperative malnutrition risk was high in 21.52% of the sample, moderate in 36.71%, and low in 41.77%. Body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.007) and postoperative surgical complications (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with delayed discharge. No statistically significant differences were found between levels of malnutrition risk and delayed discharge (p = 0.122), or postoperative surgical complications (p = 0.874). Conclusions: Postoperative complications and BMI emerge as significant risk factors. The limited sample size may have compromised the collection of homogeneous and significant data. Future studies should evaluate the implementation of personalized nutritional screening tools, nutritional assessment plans, and the involvement of specialized health professionals.

Background: Clinical nutrition is essential in nursing care, with nurses playing a key role in supporting patients’ dietary needs. Aim: To assess the impact of active learning methodologies on clinical nutrition education, focusing on knowledge retention among nursing students. Methods: Using a quasi-experimental research design, we enrolled 131 s-year nursing students. Both groups attended an eight-hour seminar on clinical nutrition, incorporating critical thinking. The experimental group had prior exposure to active learning and ICT in their first-year course, while the control group received traditional teaching. Knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire on basic and clinical nutrition. Results: The experimental group scored higher in both basic and clinical nutrition, indicating that active learning improves immediate learning and long-term retention. One year later, they retained significant knowledge, particularly regarding nutrient–disease relationships. Conclusions: Active learning, particularly critical thinking, enhances short- and long-term outcomes in clinical nutrition education. Future studies should refine assessment tools and explore further integration of active learning into nursing curricula.

Background/Aim: Nutritional management in neurosurgical patients with brain neoplasms is critical, as optimal nutritional status is potentially associated with improved clinical outcomes. This systematic review aimed to analyze the impact of pre- and postoperative nutritional assessment and effect of prepost interventions on the clinical outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL databases, complemented by a search of grey literature. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, and the certainty of evidence was graded according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels. Results: Fourteen studies, encompassing a total of 11,224 adult patients with brain neoplasms, were included. Many of these studies were retrospective, had small sample sizes, and examined diverse nutritional protocols. Preoperative nutritional status assessment, including clinical parameters such as albumin (p < 0.001), Controlling Nutritional Status score (p = 0.001), and Prognostic Nutritional Index (p < 0.010), combined with postoperative oral nutritional supplements (p < 0.001), was significantly associated with postoperative clinical outcomes. Additionally, personalized nutritional counseling contributed to a reduction in complications and facilitated more effective functional recovery. Conclusions: Nutritional care is vital in managing neurosurgical patients with brain neoplasms, reducing complications and enhancing postoperative recovery and overall clinical outcomes. A multidisciplinary team is key to optimal outcomes. Future research should aim to standardize protocols for broader applicability.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common postoperative complications. Environmental factors, including intraoperative traffic and door openings in the operating room (OR), have been identified as critical contributors to microbial air contamination. Nurses play a pivotal role in managing these factors, directly influencing infection control practices. Methods: An integrative review was conducted to synthesize current evidence on the association between intraoperative traffic, door openings, and SSIs. A structured methodology was employed to identify, assess, and analyze the existing literature, with a specific focus on the nursing role in infection prevention. Results: Findings from a single-center prospective cohort study indicate that ORs with more than 10 personnel present exhibit a threefold increase in SSI risk [Relative Risk (RR) = 3.12; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.71–13.66] compared to ORs with fewer personnel. Additionally, every five door openings per procedure were associated with a significant increase in SSI incidence [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.24–3.20, p = 0.005]. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of strict protocols to limit intraoperative traffic and unnecessary OR access. A multidisciplinary approach plays a crucial role in ensuring surgical safety and preventing SSIs by regulating OR access and adhering to infection control best practices.

Background/Aim: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), primarily caused by diabetes, predisposes patients to a high risk of systemic complications, including vascular ulcers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of arterial vascular ulcers in patients with CKD, with particular attention to predisposing factors including diabetes and prevention strategies. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, adopting the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane Library, along with grey literature sources. Results: The literature review revealed a significant association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and CKD, highlighting the prevalence (41.5%) and associated risk factors, such as type 1 diabetes (OR, 2.993; 95% CI: 1.477–6.065, p = 0.002), type 2 diabetes (OR, 2.498; 95% CI: 1.466–4.256, p = 0.001), and hypertension (OR, 1.781; 95% CI: 1.293–2.450, p < 0.001) in hemodialysis patients. Preventive strategies were discussed, emphasizing the automation of ankle–brachial index (ABI) measurement. Conclusions: This review identifies risk factors and preventive strategies for PAD in CKD patients, emphasizing diabetes as a key contributor. Evidence supports current diagnostic approaches and guidelines but highlights the need for larger studies. Standardized protocols and targeted training are crucial for improved management.