Intake of a carbohydrate-containing fluid is reported to improve insulin-like growth factor levels , reduce hunger , nausea , and length of stay , and attenuate the decrease in whole-body insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose release .
Amino acid supplementation is reported to reduce muscle atrophy and accelerate return of functional mobility .
There is limited evidence for nutritional supplementation in THR and TKR pathways ; however , the low risk profile and potential benefits to adjunctive treatment methods , such as exercise programs , suggest nutritional supplements may have a role .
Optimizing nutritional status pre-operatively may help manage the surgical stress response , with a particular benefit for undernourished , frail , or elderly individuals
Nutritional supplements can influence outcomes for individuals undergoing major surgery , particularly in older persons whose functional reserve is limited .
Accelerating recovery from total hip replacement ( THR ) and total knee replacement ( TKR ) may offer significant benefits .
Therefore , we explored the role of nutritional supplements in improving recovery following THR and TKR .
Total hip arthroplasty and perioperative oral carbohydrate treatment: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial
Context Perioperative oral carbohydrate intake is beneficial to general surgery patients . Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure , and even a moderate improvement in patient outcome could have a significant effect on the re sources needed for these patients . However , few studies have focused on the effects of carbohydrate intake on orthopaedic patients . Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate if perioperative oral carbohydrate intake alters the postoperative course for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty . The primary hypothesis was that pain scores would be lower in patients treated with carbohydrate . Design A r and omised , double-blind , controlled trial . Setting This study was carried out between September 2009 and April 2011 at a district Swedish hospital that specialises in orthopaedic surgery . Patients Sixty ASA physical status I – III patients scheduled for elective total hip arthroplasty were included . Exclusion criteria were obesity , diabetes , prior hip surgery to the same hip , ongoing infection , immunological deficiency or age less than 50 or more than 80 years . Interventions Patients were given 400 ml of either an oral 12.5 % carbohydrate solution or a placebo beverage ( flavoured water ) 1.5 h before and 2 h after surgery . Main outcome measures Visual analogue scales were used to score six discomfort parameters . Results Immediately prior to surgery , the carbohydrate-treated patients were less hungry ( median score 9.5 vs. 22 mm ) and experienced less nausea ( 0 vs. 1.5 mm ) ( P < 0.05 ) . Postoperatively , patients in the carbohydrate group experienced less pain at 12 , 16 and 20 h ( median scores 20 , 30 and 34 vs. 7 , 5 and 0 mm ; P < 0.05 ) . Conclusion This study shows that there is limited benefit from administering oral carbohydatre prior to total hip arthroplasty
Intake of a carbohydrate-containing fluid is reported to improve insulin-like growth factor levels , reduce hunger , nausea , and length of stay , and attenuate the decrease in whole-body insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose release .
Amino acid supplementation is reported to reduce muscle atrophy and accelerate return of functional mobility .
There is limited evidence for nutritional supplementation in THR and TKR pathways ; however , the low risk profile and potential benefits to adjunctive treatment methods , such as exercise programs , suggest nutritional supplements may have a role .
Optimizing nutritional status pre-operatively may help manage the surgical stress response , with a particular benefit for undernourished , frail , or elderly individuals
Nutritional supplements can influence outcomes for individuals undergoing major surgery , particularly in older persons whose functional reserve is limited .
Accelerating recovery from total hip replacement ( THR ) and total knee replacement ( TKR ) may offer significant benefits .
Therefore , we explored the role of nutritional supplements in improving recovery following THR and TKR .