Carbohydrate Loading for Spine Surgery Preparation

Overseen By Kevan Kostynski

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Horizon Health Network

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Revision surgery, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

128 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Carbohydrate loading, the consumption of carbohydrates prior to surgery, is an example of preoperative nutrition that has provided many benefits to surgical patients. Elderly patients (65 years of age and older) represent a large number of spine surgery recipients and due to the unique aspects of aging, proper preoperative nutrition is essential for this patient demographic. The goal of this research study is to determine if preoperative carbohydrate loading provides benefits to elderly patients through decreasing length of stay (LOS) in hospital and reducing perioperative patient adverse events, when undergoing orthopaedic spine surgeries. It is expected that preoperative carbohydrate loading in elderly patients receiving an orthopaedic spine surgery (fusion, decompression, or discectomy) will lead to greater outcomes through decreasing LOS in hospital and reducing perioperative patient adverse events compared to patients who did not receive preoperative carbohydrate loading.

Research Team

Chris Small, MD

Principal Investigator

Canada East Spine Centre

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for elderly patients aged 65 or older who are scheduled for, or have recently had, elective spine surgery (fusion, decompression, discectomy). It's not open to those under 65, those with diabetes, anyone unable to drink the carbohydrate solution provided (Gatorade), or if they don't agree to join the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I meet the age requirement for the trial.

I am scheduled for or have recently had spine surgery.

Exclusion Criteria

Are not able to consume the selected carbohydrate drink

I meet the age requirements for the trial.

I have had or will have surgery on my neck or lower back.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Gatorade Thirst Quencher

Trial Overview The study tests whether drinking Gatorade before spine surgery can help elderly patients by shortening their hospital stay and reducing complications. Patients will be compared based on whether they received this preoperative carbohydrate loading versus those who did not.

Participant Groups

Group I: Carbohydrate Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Standard of care for dietary instructions + carbohydrate loading. The carbohydrate (CHO) group will consist of prospectively recruited patients scheduled to undergo an elective spine surgery. These participants will also follow the preoperative nutrition standards, however, in addition, they will be instructed to consume 710ml of a simple, commercial carbohydrate sports drink on the day of their procedure up to 2 hours prior to surgery.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Standard of care for dietary instructions only. The control group will consist of retrospectively recruited participants who have recently undergone a successful elective spine surgery, and followed the preoperative nutrition standards for their surgery, as outlined by the research institution's fasting dietary guidelines. Recruitment will include the most recent spine surgeries that meet the inclusion criteria and match prospective patient demographics.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Horizon Health Network

Lead Sponsor

Trials

30

Recruited

16,800+