Cell-free and concentrated pleural effusion reinfusion therapy with aggressive nutritional support improved refractory pleural effusion in a patient with malnutrition after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

ABSTRACT: An 82-year-old man underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer 6 months before admission to our hospital. His postoperative food intake was reduced to less than half of the preoperative amount. Two months postsurgery, he fell and fractured his leg and was bedridden. Furthermore, hypoalbuminemia and bilateral pleural effusions persisted. Despite repeated administration of an albumin preparation and pleural drainage, he showed no improvement for 3 months and was referred to our hospital. On admission, his height was 171 cm, weight 52.8 kg, and body mass index 18.1 kg/m². Moreover, he was clearly undernourished and had difficulty maintaining a standing position. In terms of nutritional enrichment, his diet was adjusted to meet the needs of an older adult patient postgastrectomy

SUBMITTER: Usui M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12327212 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature