This Surgical Clinics issue is Part 1 of a special two part issue on nutrition and metabolism of the surgical patient, co-guest edited by Dr. Stanley Dudrick, a pioneer in total parenteral nutrition. Part 1, guest edited by Dr. Dudrick and Dr. Juan Sanchez present topics on nutrition and metabolism for the acutely ill patient. Topics will include: metabolic considerations in management of surgical patients, sepsis associated with nutrition support of surgical patients, parenteral nutrition and nutrition support of surgical patients, cachexia and refeeding Syndrome, prevention and treatment of intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD) in neonates and children, adjuvant nutrition management of patients with liver failure, comprehensive management of patients with enteric fistulas, nutrition management of patients with malignancies of the head and neck , nutrition support of pediatric surgical patients, management of the short bowel syndrome, what, how and how much should burn patients be fed?, nutrition support in trauma and critically ill patients, and nutrition as an adjunct to management of patients with pulmonary failure.