Preoperative Liquid Carbohydrate Loading in Plastic Surgery Patients During an IV Fluid Shortage: A Matched Case–Control Study Following Hurricane Helene

Consuming liquid carbohydrates preoperatively reduced intraoperative IV fluid use, but did not improve nausea or recovery time. Liquid protocol patients were less compliant and had more surgical start delays. These findings suggest that liquid carbohydrate protocols may not be feasible during fluid shortages.