Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
12:08
Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
18.8K
Trends in preoperative carbohydrate load practice: A systematic review
Robert J Canelli1, Joseph Louca1, Rafael M Gonzalez1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|April 27, 2024
Summary
Standardizing preoperative carbohydrate load (PCL) is crucial for improving surgical outcomes. This review highlights variations in PCL timing, concentration, and volume, emphasizing the need for a unified approach.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Surgical Nutrition
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- The preoperative carbohydrate load (PCL) aims to mitigate surgical stress and improve patient outcomes.
- Current PCL protocols lack standardization, hindering comparative analysis and evidence synthesis.
- This variability impedes the establishment of optimal PCL guidelines.
Approach:
- A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Included randomized controlled trials detailing PCL timing, carbohydrate concentration, and volume.
- Data from 67 studies involving 6551 patients were analyzed.
Key Points:
- PCL administration varied, with 49.3% given pre-surgery and morning-of, and 47.8% morning-of only.
- Mean carbohydrate concentration was 13.5% (±3.4), with a mean volume of 648.2 ml (±377).
- Significant heterogeneity exists in prescribed PCL protocols.
Conclusions:
- Disparities in PCL practices prevent robust data pooling and outcome analysis.
- A standardized PCL protocol is essential for meaningful clinical research.
- Establishing a gold standard PCL will enhance surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
