CArbohydrate Loading in Aortic Surgery

The adverse effects of overnight fasting before surgery have been well-documented in the contemporary literature. Still, due to the possibility of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents, many clinicians worldwide still employ this practice. On the other hand, the benefits of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading (OCHL) have been shown in various patient groups. Studies examining the usefulness of preoperative OCHL in aortic surgery are lacking. In particular, no randomized control trials have specifically examined the impact of preoperative OCHL on the postoperative course in patients undergoing open abdominal aortic surgery.