DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjs.2025.v11i10.016

Pages: 1022-1027

Background: Cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder, is one of the most commonly performed procedures for the management of cholelithiasis, with laparoscopic cholecystectomy widely recognized as the standard approach for patients with symptomatic gallstones. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative carbohydrate loading on early postoperative recovery outcomes, including pain, analgesic requirement, nausea and vomiting, and time to ambulation and oral intake, in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative carbohydrate loading on early postoperative recovery outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: This prospective observational study at the Department of General Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, included 70 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients (ASA I–II). The intervention group (n=35) received 400 mL of 12.5% glucose 2 hours preoperatively; controls fasted. Outcomes were postoperative pain (VAS), analgesic use, nausea, vomiting, and recovery times. Data were analyzed with t-tests and Chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: In 70 patients, groups were comparable in age, sex, BMI, surgery duration, and ASA grade (p > 0.05). Carbohydrate loading reduced VAS scores at 6–24 h (4.5–2.8 vs. 5.1–3.3, p < 0.05), mean analgesic doses (2.8 vs. 3.5, p = 0.001), nausea (22.9% vs. 54.3%), vomiting (8.6% vs. 31.4%), and hastened ambulation (5.2 vs. 6.8 h) and oral intake (7.1 vs. 9.3 h, p < 0.019). Conclusion: Preoperative carbohydrate loading before laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduces postoperative pain and analgesic use, decreases nausea and vomiting, and accelerates recovery.