surgery. That's changing
because pre-op drinks
that are clinically proven
to improve outcomes and
that are safe for patients
to drink before surgery in
Europe are now entering
the U.S. market.
The amount of a carb-rich drink patients should imbibe the night
before and morning of surgery varies between 16 and 32 ounces,
depending on the brand. Patients can order the drinks — which cost
about $4 for an 8-ounce bottle — online or receive them during visits
to surgeons' offices or pre-op clinics. Consider including the drinks in
your case costs because the clinical payoff is well worth the relatively
nominal expense. Encourage patients to drink the carb-load over 10
to 15 minutes or less to ensure it induces the most beneficial
response.
Asking patients to go NPO is done in part to lower the risk of aspira-
tion, but drinking a carb-rich solution the morning of surgery is thought
to distend the stomach, which actually helps to empty its contents. In
fact, the small amount of gastric secretion that collects overnight in the
stomach of NPO patients might not be pushed out as quickly before sur-
gery.
An important note: Gatorade does not appear to be a suitable substi-
tute for the complex carb drinks specifically formulated and studied for
pre-op consumption. The simple sugars in the energy drink don't
always empty from the stomach as quickly, which could increase the
risk of aspiration during surgery. Moreover, the simple sugar drinks
have not been shown to improve surgical outcomes.
8 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M a r c h 2 0 1 7
Unrecognized malnutrition
may be the most pressing
silent epidemic facing the
surgical patient today.
