The effect of fasting on surgical performance
David Fenger Schefte1, Steffen Jais Rosenstock2
1Department of Surgery, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegårds Alle 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark. davidschefte@hotmail.com.
Surgical Endoscopy
|July 8, 2015
Summary
Fasting for 17 hours did not impair surgical skills in a simulator study. Medical students performed better in the afternoon, suggesting meal timing may influence surgical performance.
Area of Science:
- Medical education
- Surgical simulation
- Physiology
Background:
- The impact of fasting on surgical performance remains largely unstudied.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap by investigating fasting's effects on surgical skills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a 17-hour fasting period affects surgical performance in a simulated environment.
- To analyze the influence of fasting on key surgical metrics.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy medical students without prior simulator experience participated.
- Participants completed five simulated salpingectomies on the LapSim® simulator after a 17-hour fast.
- Performance was assessed by procedure time, instrument movements, and "blood loss" at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Main Results:
- Surgical performance, measured by time and "blood loss," was significantly better in the afternoon (2 p.m.) compared to the morning (9 a.m.).
- Instrument movements also showed improvement in the afternoon, with a noted exception in left-hand longitudinal movements.
Conclusions:
- A 17-hour fast does not appear to negatively impact surgical performance in a simulated setting.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the relationship between fasting and surgical proficiency.
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