The effects of pre-operative carbohydrate loading on the metabolic response to surgery in a low resource setting

Abstract

Introduction: the stress response to surgery involves catabolism and gluconeogenesis resulting in postoperative hyper glycaemia. Post-operative hyper glycaemia is a risk factor for postoperative complications and pre-operative fasting further aggravates this response. A carbohydrate (CHO) drink instead of fasting is expected to decrease insulin resistance and reduce post-operative hyper glycaemia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the reduction of the pre-operative fasting period on post-operative hyper glycaemia and post-operative complications in open surgery.