The impact and safety of preoperative oral or intravenous carbohydrate administration versus fasting in colorectal surgery--a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Increasing evidence suggests that preoperative fasting, as was the clinical practice for many decades, might be associated with untoward consequences and that a standardized preoperative intake of nutrients might be advantageous; this is a component of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept. Thus, in a randomized controlled trial we compared preoperative fasting with preoperative preparation with either oral or intravenous intake of carbohydrates, minerals and water. Biochemical, psychosomatic, echocardiographic and muscle-power parameters were assessed in surgical patients with colorectal diseases during the short-term perioperative period.