Enhanced muscle strength with carbohydrate supplement two hours before open cholecystectomy: a randomized, double-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate the effects of preoperative fasting abbreviation with oral supplementation with carbohydrate in the evolution of grip strength in patients undergoing cholecystectomy by laparotomy.


METHODS
we conducted a clinical, randomizeddouble blind study with adult female patients, aged 18-60 years. Patients were divided into two groups: Control Group, with fasting prescription 6-8h until the time of operation; and Intervention Group, which received prescription of fasting for solids 6-8h before surgery, but ingested an oral supplement containing 12.5% carbohydrate, six (400ml) and two (200ml) hours before theprocedure. The handgrip strength was measured in both hands in both groups, at patient's admission (6h before surgery), the immediate pre-operative time (1h before surgery) and 12-18h postoperatively.


RESULTS
we analyzed 27 patients, 14 in the intervention group and 13 in the control group. There was no mortality. The handgrip strength (mean [standard deviation]) was significantly higher in the intervention group in the three periods studied, in at least one hand: preoperatively in the dominant hand (27.8 [2.6] vs 24.1 [3.7] kg; p=0.04), in the immediate preoperative in both hands, and postoperatively in the non-dominant hand (28.5 [3.0] vs 21.3 [5.9] kg; p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
the abbreviation of preoperative fasting to two hours with drink containing carbohydrate improves muscle function in the perioperative period.
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
Marcella Giovana
MG
Gava
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
Heloísa Michelon
HM
Castro-Barcellos
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
Cervantes
C
Caporossi
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.
José Eduardo de
JE
Aguilar-Nascimento
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates