• J Nygren, M Soop, A Thorell, S Efendic, K S Nair, and O Ljungqvist.
• Department of Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Clin Nutr. 1998 Apr 1;17(2):65-71.

UnlabelledInfusions of carbohydrates before surgery reduce postoperative insulin resistance. We in-vestigated the effects of a carbohydrate drink, given shortly before surgery, on postoperative metabolism.MethodInsulin sensitivity, glucose turnover ([6,6, 2H2]-D-glucose) and substrate utilization were measured using hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamps and indirect calorimetry in two matched groups of patients before and after elective colorectal surgery. The drink group (n = 7) received 800 ml of an isoosmolar carbohydrate rich beverage the evening before the operation (100 g carbohydrates), as well as another 400 ml (50 g carbohydrates) 2 h before the initiation of anesthesia. The fasted group (n = 7) was operated after an overnight fast.ResultsAfter surgery, energy expenditure increased in both groups. Endogenous glucose production was higher after surgery and the difference was significant during low insulin infusion rates in both groups (P < 0.05). The supressibility of endogenous glucose production by the two step insulin infusion was similar pre-and postoperatively in both groups. At the high insulin infusion rate postoperatively, whole body glucose disposal was more reduced in the fasted group (-49 +/- 6% vs -26 +/- 8%, P < 0.05 vs drink). Furthermore, during high insulin infusion rates, glucose oxidation decreased postoperatively only in the fasted group (P < 0. 05) and postoperative levels of fat oxidation were greater in the fasted group (P < 0.05 vs drink). Only minor postoperative changes in cortisol and glucagon were found and no differences were found between the treatment groups.ConclusionsPatients given a carbohydrate drink shortly before elective colorectal surgery displayed less reduced insulin sensitivity after surgery as compared to patients who were operated after an overnight fast.

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