Review Article | Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics | Vol 10 | Issue 2 | July-December 2025 | page: 48-55 | Vishal Kumar, Adarsh Tekumalla, Arvind Vatkar, Aditya Gupta, Suryateja Dunga, Deepshikha, Sarvdeep Singh Dhatt, Sachin Kale

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13107/jcorth.2025.v10.i02.774

Open Access License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2025; The Author(s).

Submitted Date: 10 Oct 2025, Review Date: 27 Oct 2025, Accepted Date: 14 Nov 2025 & Published Date: 10 Dec 2025

Author: Vishal Kumar [1], Adarsh Tekumalla [1], Arvind Vatkar [2], Aditya Gupta [1], Suryateja Dunga [1], Deepshikha [3], Sarvdeep Singh Dhatt [1], Sachin Kale [4]

[1] Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India,
[2] Department of Orthopaedics, MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India,
[3] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India,
[4] Department of Orthopaedics, Dr D Y Patil School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Address of Correspondence

Dr. Vishal Kumar,
Additional Professor of Orthopaedics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India-160012
Ex- HOD & Deputy Medical Superintendent, AIIMS, Deoghar, Jharkhand- 81414, India.
E-mail: drkumarvishal@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: With pre-operative carbohydrate loading emerging as a possible approach to improve post-operative outcomes, enhanced recovery after surgery protocols have attracted much interest recently. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess, in patients undergoing hip surgery, pre-operative carbohydrate beverages’ impact on post-operative recovery and glucose levels.
Methods: For randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to April 2023, a thorough literature search was undertaken in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Included studies were those comparing pre-operative carbohydrate loading with fasting or placebo in adult patients having hip fixation or replacement surgery. Indices of surgical healing and glucose levels dominated the results. Secondary results covered surgical complications, insulin resistance, and hospital stay length.
Results: Twelve RCTs totaling 1247 participants are included in this investigation. Pre-operative carbohydrate loading is clearly connected to improved post-operative recovery based on reduced post-operative nausea and vomiting, earlier resumption of bowel function, and better patient well-being scores [2]. After surgery, the group on carbohydrates had more controlled glucose levels than the fasting group. Although these findings were not consistent across all studies, secondary findings showed a trend toward reduced length of hospital stay and raised insulin sensitivity.
Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that pre-operative carbohydrate drinks may improve post-operative recovery and glucose control in patients undergoing hip surgery. However, the heterogeneity of the included studies and the variability in outcome measures warrant further large-scale, well-designed RCTs to confirm these findings and establish standardized protocols for pre-operative carbohydrate loading in hip surgery patients.
Keywords: Pre-operative, Carbohydrate drink, Hip Surgery, Recovery

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