Optimizing Postoperative Clinical Outcomes in Spinal Surgery Through Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Loading: A...

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Surgical Nutrition
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to optimize patient recovery.
• Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading is a key component of some ERAS protocols.
• Its specific impact on spinal surgery patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical effects of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading on patients undergoing spinal surgery.
• To compare postoperative outcomes between patients receiving carbohydrate loading and those following standard fasting protocols.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case-control study involving 92 spinal surgery patients.
• The intervention group (n=46) consumed 800 mL of carbohydrate drink ≥8 hours pre-surgery.
• The control group (n=46) followed routine fasting; outcomes included nausea, vomiting, medication use, inflammation, bleeding, and recovery times.

Main Results:

• The carbohydrate loading group showed significantly lower rates of vomiting and bleeding.
• Patients in the intervention group experienced statistically significant earlier first flatus, defecation, and mobilization times.
• No significant differences were noted in nausea, antiemetic/analgesic use, inflammation, or oral intake time.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading positively impacts postoperative clinical outcomes in spinal surgery.
• This non-pharmacological intervention should be considered for inclusion in ERAS protocols for spinal surgery.
• Carbohydrate loading offers a safe and effective method to improve patient recovery after spinal procedures.