Effect of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading on Recovery in Patients Undergoing Day-case Cholecystectomy. A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Preoperative carbohydrate loading has been shown to reduce preoperative discomfort and postoperative nausea and vomiting in general surgical patients. Few studies have been focused on patients undergoing day-case surgery.

Objective: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to determine whether preoperative carbohydrate loading enhanced the recovery of patients undergoing day-case cholecystectomy.

Design: A randomised controlled trial. Setting: Secondary care in a district general and a university hospital in Finland between 2013-2016.

Patients: A total of 113 patients ASA physical status I or II (18-70 yr) undergoing day-case cholecystectomy were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were bleeding or coagulation disorders, BMI >40, dementia, insulin-treated diabetes, migraine, Meniere's disease or a history of alcohol or drug abuse.

Intervention: The carbohydrate rich drink (CHD) group received oral carbohydrate (200 ml) 2-3 h before surgery, and the control (Fasting) group fasted from midnight according to standard protocol.

Main outcome measures: Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to score six discomfort parameters. The needs for analgesia or antiemetics, the time to drinking, eating and first mobilization after surgery, and the time to discharge and hospital readmission were recorded.