A review of the diet, nutrients, and supplementation potential for the outcome augmentation in surgical treatment of peripheral nerve injuries

Sanja Lepić; Milan Lepić; Nikolina Banjanin; Stefan Mandić-Rajčević; Lukas Rasulić

doi:10.3389/fsurg.2022.942739

A review of the diet, nutrients, and supplementation potential for the outcome augmentation in surgical treatment of peripheral nerve injuries

Front Surg. 2022 Nov 9:9:942739. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.942739. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Sanja Lepić^{1

2}, Milan Lepić^{2

3}, Nikolina Banjanin⁴, Stefan Mandić-Rajčević⁵, Lukas Rasulić^{6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Hygiene, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
² Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia.
³ Clinic for Neurosurgery, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁴ Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁵ School of Public Health and Health Management and Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁶ Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁷ Department for Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Functional Neurosurgery and Pain Management Surgery, Clinic for Neurosurgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

Objective: Although the studies have shown the beneficial effects of diet, nutrition, and supplementation as an independent treatment modality, their roles are underestimated in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. This is in great part due to the development of efficient nerve repair techniques, combined with physical treatment and stimulation. To achieve the best possible functional recovery diet, nutrition, and supplementation should be implemented within a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of the study is to provide insight into the potentially beneficial effects of diet, nutrients, and supplementation, in the limitation of nerve damage and augmentation of the functional recovery after surgery in a review of human and animal studies.

Methods: The data relating to the diet, nutrients, and supplementation effects on peripheral nerve injuries and their treatment was extracted from the previously published literature.

Results: General balanced diet as well as obesity influence the initial nerve features prior to the injury. In the period following the injury, neuroprotective agents demonstrated beneficial effects prior to surgery, and immediately after the injury, while those potentiating nerve regeneration may be used after the surgical repair to complement the physical treatment and stimulation for improved functional recovery.

Conclusions: Standardized diet, nutrition, and supplementation recommendations and protocols may be of great importance for better nerve regeneration and functional recovery as a part of the multidisciplinary approach to achieve the best possible results in surgically treated patients with peripheral nerve injuries in the future.

Keywords: functional recovery; injury; nutrition; peripheral nervous system; regeneration; supplements; surgery.

Publication types

Review