Abstract
Background
A carbohydrate-rich drink (CHO) has been shown to reduce preoperative discomfort. It was hypothesized that it may also reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
Methods
Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under inhalational anaesthesia (127 women and 45 men; mean(s.d.) 48(15) years) were randomized to either preoperative fasting, intake of CHO (50 kcal/100 ml, 290 mOsm/kg) or placebo. The non-fasting groups were double-blinded; patients ingested 800 ml of liquid on the evening before surgery and 400 ml 2 h before anaesthesia. Nausea and pain scores on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and episodes of PONV were recorded up to 24 h after surgery.
Results
The incidence of PONV was lower in the CHO than in the fasted group between 12 and 24 h after surgery (P = 0ยท039). Nausea scores in the fasted and placebo groups were higher after operation than before admission to hospital (P = 0ยท018 and P < 0ยท001 respectively), whereas there was no significant change in the CHO group. No intergroup differences in VAS scores were seen. The use of anaesthetics, opioids, antiemetics and intravenous fluids was similar in all groups.
Conclusion
CHO may have a beneficial effect on PONV 12โ24 h after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.