Effects of Preoperative Oral Carbohydrate Electrolyte Drinks on Preoperative Hypokalemia Incidence in Patients Scheduled for Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection: A Three-arm Randomized Clinical Trial.

Preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium significantly reduced the incidence of preoperative hypokalemia and improved preoperative thirst and hunger, but did not reduce the postoperative time to FFL and FFE or length of hospital stay. However, as part of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol, preoperative carbohydrate drinks containing potassium should be considered, as early as first admittance to hospital.