[Preoperative assessment: value and limitations in the preparation for surgery of esophageal or cardia carcinoma].

Pre-operative assessment of a patient suffering from a carcinoma of the oesophagus demonstrates numerous pathological features and marked malnutrition. The authors give details of their method of nutritional preparation: operation is scheduled only when the patients are restored to a state of anabolism, i.e. when daily potassium balance is greater than 40 mEq and daily nitrogen balance exceeds 4 g. Carolies are provided either intravenously or via a gastric tube. Alimentation consists on average of 2,000 to 2,6000 calories as carbohydrate and lipids and 12 to 14 g of nitrogen. This preparation lasts on average for one week. It is associated with a reduction in mortality and the number of postoperative complications.