Preoperative carbohydrate drink in fast-track primary total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial of 168 patients

A key component in fast-track total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is early mobilization. Preoperative fasting might cause orthostatic hypotension and -intolerance which both can interfere with early mobilization. It was hypothesized that consuming a carbohydrate drink 2-3 hours prior to surgery is a viable option to reduce orthostatic hypotension, and as a result, improve rehabilitation. In this randomized controlled trial, all consecutive unilateral primary TKA patients were reviewed for eligibility. Exclusion criteria were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class above 3, older than 80 years of age, Diabetes Mellitus, and an insufficient comment of Dutch language. Patients were distributed in two groups. The control group was allowed to eat till 6 hours and drink clear fluids till 2 hours before surgery (standard treatment). The intervention group consumed, additionally to the standard treatment, a carbohydrate drink 2-3 hours before surgery. Blood pressure was measured both lying and standing as a measure for orthostatic hypotension during first time postoperative mobilization on day of surgery. A total of 168 patients were included. Prevalence of orthostatic hypotension in the control- and intervention group was 24 patients (34%) and 14 patients (19%) respectively, (p=0.05). Prevalence of orthostatic intolerance was 13 patients (19%) in the control group and 9 patients (13%) in the intervention group (p=0.32). No drink related adverse events occurred. In conclusion, taking a carbohydrate drink 2-3 hours before TKA significantly lowers the number of patients with orthostatic hypotension in early mobilization. However, the clinical relevance of the carbohydrate drink has to be studied further.

Randomized controlled trial of liberal vs. standard fasting instructions in percutaneous cardiac procedures

BACKGROUND

Pre-procedural fasting to reduce aspiration risk is usual care prior to surgery requiring anesthesia. Prolonged fasting, however, can result in dehydration and may adversely affect patient experience and outcomes. Previous studies suggest that providing a supplemental beverage to patients undergoing cardiac and a variety of other surgical procedures improves patients' subjective assessment of thirst and hunger and potentially decreases the need for inotrope and vasopressor therapy. Less is known, however, about the effects of ad libitum clear liquids up to 2 h prior to surgery.

METHODS

Adult patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or arrhythmia ablation were randomized (1:1) to ad libitum clear liquids up to 2 h prior to their procedure vs. nil per os (NPO) after midnight (control group, usual care). The primary endpoint was a composite satisfaction score that included patient-reported thirst, hunger, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, and anxiousness prior to surgery. The incidence of case-delay was recorded. Intraoperative vasopressor administration, changes in creatinine, anti-emetic use, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were recorded. Safety endpoints including aspiration were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 200 patients were randomized and 181 patients were included in the final analysis. Overall, 92% of patients were ASA class III or IV and 23% of patients had NYHA class III or IV symptoms. Groups were well balanced with no significant differences in age, sex or baseline cardiac or renal disease. The composite satisfaction score (primary endpoint) was not significantly different between groups (Ad libitum median = 12, IQR = [6, 17], vs Standard NPO median = 10, IQR = [5, 15], [95% CI = [-1, 4]). No significant differences between the two groups were observed in any of the individual survey questions (thirst, hunger, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, anxiousness). No significant differences between groups were observed for intra-operative vasopressor use, changes in creatinine, rescue anti-emetic use or hospital LOS. There were no case delays attributed to the intervention. There were no cases of suspected aspiration.

CONCLUSION

No adverse events or case delays were observed in the ad libitum clears group. No significant benefit, however, was observed in patient satisfaction or any of the pre-specified secondary endpoints in patients randomized to ad libitum clear liquids up to 2 h prior to their procedure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04079543.

2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Preoperative Fasting: Carbohydrate-containing Clear Liquids with or without Protein, Chewing Gum, and Pediatric Fasting Duration-A Modular Update of the 2017 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Preoperative Fasting

These practice guidelines are a modular update of the "Practice guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration: Application to healthy patients undergoing elective procedures." The guidance focuses on topics not addressed in the previous guideline: ingestion of carbohydrate-containing clear liquids with or without protein, chewing gum, and pediatric fasting duration.

Guidelines on enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump

OBJECTIVE

To provide recommendations for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) based on a multimodal perioperative medicine approach in adult cardiac surgery patients with the aim of improving patient satisfaction, reducing postoperative mortality and morbidity, and reducing the length of hospital stay.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 20 experts from the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société française d'anesthésie et de réanimation, SFAR) and the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (Société française de chirurgie thoracique et cardio-vasculaire, SFCTCV) was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guideline process was conducted independently of any industry funding. The authors were advised to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to guide the assessment of the quality of evidence.

METHODS

Six fields were defined: (1) selection of the patient pathway and its information; (2) preoperative management and rehabilitation; (3) anaesthesia and analgesia for cardiac surgery; (4) surgical strategy for cardiac surgery and bypass management; (5) patient blood management; and (6) postoperative enhanced recovery. For each field, the objective of the recommendations was to answer questions formulated according to the PICO model (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). Based on these questions, an extensive bibliographic search was carried out and analyses were performed using the GRADE approach. The recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE methodology and then voted on by all the experts according to the GRADE grid method.

RESULTS

The SFAR/SFCTCV guideline panel provided 33 recommendations on the management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump. After three rounds of voting and several amendments, a strong agreement was reached for the 33 recommendations. Of these recommendations, 10 have a high level of evidence (7 GRADE 1+ and 3 GRADE 1-); 19 have a moderate level of evidence (15 GRADE 2+ and 4 GRADE 2-); and 4 are expert opinions. Finally, no recommendations were provided for 3 questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Strong agreement existed among the experts to provide recommendations to optimise the complete perioperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Cerrahi Süreçte Hasta Beslenmesinde Güncel Yaklaşımlar

Cerrahi travma, oluşturduğu nörohormonal stres yanıtla homeostazı tehdit eden katabolik bir süreç başlatır. Cerrahi travma sonrası derlenme, yalnızca teknik cerrahi becerilere değil, aynı zamanda hastanın metabolik durumunun ve uygun beslenme desteğinin sağlanmasına da bağlıdır. Beslenme, ameliyat sonrası derlenme açısından önemli olmasına rağmen cerrahi hastalarda sıklıkla göz ardı edilmektedir. Açlık ve cerrahi stres, katabolik reaksiyonu başlatarak organ disfonksiyonuna, yara iyileşmesinde gecikmeye, ameliyat sonrası enfeksiyonlara morbidite ve mortalite artışına, hastane yatışında uzamaya ve maliyet artışına neden olmaktadır. Perioperatif süreçte beslenme ile ilişkili komplikasyonların önlenmesinde kanıt temelli doğru beslenme uygulamaları olumlu hasta sonuçlarını desteklemektedir. Ameliyat sürecinde güncel yaklaşımlar ve kanıta dayalı uygulamalar ile hastanın doğru beslenmesi sağlanarak, katabolizmanın azaltılması ve anabolizmanın desteklenmesi ile ameliyat sonrası daha hızlı bir iyileşme sağlanabilir. Cerrahi hastasının beslenmesi multidisipliner bir ekip yaklaşımını gerektirir. Cerrahi stres sürecinin azaltılmasında multidisipliner ekipte anahtar rolü olan hemşireler, güncel beslenme önerileri çerçevesinde hastanın beslenmesini optimal düzeyde desteklemelidirler. Bu derlemenin amacı, cerrahi girişim geçiren hastada beslenme yönetiminin önemini vurgulamak, perioperatif süreçte doğru beslenmeyi güncel uygulamalarla ortaya koymaktır.

The impact of oral carbohydrate-rich supplement taken two hours before caesarean delivery on maternal and neonatal perioperative outcomes -- a randomized clinical trial

Background

To evaluate the impact of oral carbohydrate-rich (Ch-R) supplement taken 2 hours before an elective caesarean delivery (CD) on maternal and neonatal perioperative outcomes.

Methods

Ninety pregnant women undergoing elective CD were randomized into the Ch-R group, placebo group and fasting group equally. Participants’ blood was drawn at three time points, before intervention, immediately after and 1 day after the surgery to measure maternal and neonatal biochemical indices. Meanwhile women’s perioperative symptoms and signs were recorded.

Results

Eighty-eight pregnant women were finally included in the study. Women who had drunk Ch-R supplement had lower postoperative insulin level (β = − 3.50, 95% CI − 5.45 to − 1.56), as well as postoperative HOMA-IR index (β = − 0.74, 95% CI − 1.15 to − 0.34), compared with women who had fasted. Additionally, neonates of mothers who were allocated in the Ch-R group also had a higher glucose level, compared with neonates of mothers in the fasting group (β = 0.40, CI 0.17 to 0.62).

Conclusion

Oral Ch-R solution administered 2 hours before an elective CD may not only alleviate maternal postoperative insulin resistance, but also comfort women’s preoperative thirst and hunger, compared to fasting. Additionally, it may increase neonatal glucose level as well.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000033163.

Data of Registration: 2020-5-22.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04155-z.

The Effect of Reducing the Fasting Time on Postoperative Pain in Orthopaedic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Patients undergoing orthopedics surgery experience the most severe postoperative pain. The fasting time is a factor that affects this complication. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fasting time reduction by using oral carbohydrate on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in orthopedic patients.

Materials and Methods

This randomized control trial was conducted between November 2017 and December 2018. Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned into the intervention (which consumed 200 mL of the 12.50% carbohydrate, 2 h before the surgery) and the control group (which was fasted from midnight). Postoperative pain was measured by visual analog scale; the amount of the consumed analgesics was also recorded. The data were analyzed by using Chi-square and t-test.

Results

The mean (SD) of the pain scores in the control group immediately and 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h after consciousness were 7.19 (2.64), 6.69 (2.17), 6.31 (2.05), 6.16 (2.08), 6.06 (2.24), and 5.38 (1.86), respectively. These scores for the intervention group were 7.44 (1.48), 6.31 (1.25), 5.72 (1.17), 5.59 (1.43), 5.25 (1.13), and 4.97 (1.57). The mean of the pain scores between two groups was not different (p > 0.05). The amount of the consumed morphine (t ₆₁= -2.10, p = 0.039), pethidine (t ₆₂= -2.25, p = 0.028), and diclofenac (t ₆₂= -2.51, p = 0.015) were significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

The pain intensity in the patients with shortened fasting time was lower, but it was not statistically significant. Moreover, reducing fasting time by using carbohydrate significantly reduced the use of analgesics.

Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP)

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.

Effects of preoperative oral carbohydrate on postoperative discomfort in patients undergoing elective surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

Fasting is a standard preoperative procedure performed to prevent vomiting and pulmonary aspiration during anaesthesia and surgery. However, fasting can cause postoperative physical and psychological discomfort. Intake of oral carbohydrate (CHO) may mimic the intake of food, which prevents postoperative discomfort. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect and safety of preoperative oral CHO in adult surgical patients.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate a pooled effect size by using random-effects models. The satisfaction outcomes were mouth dryness, hunger, thirst, pain severity, duration of hospitalization, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The safety outcomes were the incidence of aspiration and infection.

RESULTS

In total, 57 RCTs involving 5606 patients were included. The outcomes of mouth dryness, thirst, hunger, and pain were assessed by a 10-point visual analogue scale (0 = best, 10 = worst). The severity of mouth dryness (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -1.26, 95% CI: -2.36 to -0.15), thirst (WMD: -1.36, 95% CI: -2.05 to -0.67), hunger (WMD: -1.66, 95% CI: -2.53 to -0.80), pain (WMD: -0.68, 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.35), duration of hospitalization (WMD: -0.39 day, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.12), and HOMA-IR (WMD: -1.80, 95% CI: -2.84 to -0.76) were significantly lower in the CHO group than in the control group. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting did not differ between the CHO and control groups. No aspiration was recorded in any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative CHO can alleviate patient's discomfort without safety concerns. Surgeons and anaesthesiologists should strongly promote preoperative CHO as a strategy to enhance recovery after surgery protocols.

The Effect of Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading on Clinical and Biochemical Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Background and aim: Preoperative fasting leads to metabolic stress and causes insulin resistance in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading (OCH) on outcome in patients undergoing planned cardiac surgery by systematically reviewing the literature and synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE/Embase/Cinahl/Web of Science/ClinicalTrials databases was performed to identify relevant RCTs from databased inception until 05/03/2020. We included studies that compared outcome measures between OCH with control (placebo or standard starvation). We conducted a random-effect meta-analysis of clinical and biochemical parameters. Results: Nine studies (N = 9) were included with a total of 507 patients. OCH significantly decreased aortic clamping duration (n = 151, standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.521 to −0.038, p = 0.023 and differences in means (DM) = −6.388, 95%CI = −11.246 to −1.529, p = 0.010). Patients from treatment groups had shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay (n = 202, SMD = −0.542, 95%CI = −0.789 to −0.295, p < 0.001 and DM = −25.925, 95%CI = −44.568 to −7.283, p = 0.006) and required fewer units of insulin postoperatively (n = 85, SMD = −0.349, 95%CI = −0.653 to −0.044, p = 0.025 and DM = −4.523, 95%CI = −8.417 to −0.630, p = 0.023). The necessity to use inotropic drugs was significantly lower in the OCH group (risk ratio (RR) = 0.795, 95%CI = 0.689 to 0.919, p = 0.002). All other primary outcomes did not reveal a significant effect. Conclusions: Preoperative OCH in patients undergoing cardiac surgery demonstrated a 20% reduction in the use of inotropic drugs, a 50% reduction of the length of ICU stay, a 28% decrease in aortic clamping duration and a 35% decrease of postoperative insulin requirement.

Preoperative carbohydrates: what is new?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to give an overview of recently published articles covering preoperative carbohydrate loading in surgical patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, 26 publications addressing the effect of carbohydrate load were retrieved through a systematic search. Seventeen were randomized clinical trials, three prospective observational studies and six retrospective series with case-control comparison. Most of the studies were underpowered, addressed surrogate endpoints, and variability among dose and timing of carbohydrate (CHO) treatment was high. The most recent literature endorses preoperative carbohydrate loading up to 2 h before operations as a safe treatment. The new evidence confirm that this strategy is effective in reducing perioperative insulin resistance and the proportion of hyperglycemia episodes, and improving patient well-being and comfort but without affecting surgery-related morbidity.

SUMMARY

Further properly designed randomized clinical trials, addressing more clinically relevant endpoints such as length of hospitalization and morbidity rate, are warrant.