The effectiveness of preoperative oral carbohydrate loading on postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults receiving total intravenous anaesthesia compared to inhalational anaesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading is thought to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, it is unknown if the benefit of carbohydrate loading is maintained in the presence of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA). The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether oral carbohydrate loading reduced PONV compared to overnight fasting between adult elective surgery patients receiving TIVA or inhalational general anaesthesia.
Methods: A search of seven databases was conducted until March 2024. Randomised controlled trials conducted with patient aged 18 years or older were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane ROB-2 Tool. Study data was pooled using random effects meta-analyses.
Results: We included 26 studies in this review, and 25 in the meta-analyses (n = 2491). Preoperative oral carbohydrate loading reduced the overall risk (log RR: –0.35, 95 % CI:  0.62 to 0.08, I2 = 51.11 %) and severity (SMD: -0.46, 95 % CI:  0.68 to 0.24, I2 = 62.09 %) of PONV, and pain severity (MD: -0.69, 95 % CI:  1.13 to  0.25, I2 = 83.98 %) compared to prolonged fasting when pooled across both anaesthesia approaches. The risk of PONV was reduced in patients receiving inhalational anaesthesia, but not in those receiving TIVA, while the reduction in severity was more significant in TIVA.
Conclusion: Oral carbohydrate loading reduces the severity of PONV and pain, regardless of the anaesthesia approach, compared to prolonged fasting. These findings support the clinical advantages of oral carbohydrate loading for postoperative outcomes, regardless of anaesthesia approach.