Acute Vitamin D Supplementation and Perioperative Outcomes in Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized, Double-blind Prospective Study

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among orthopaedic patients. However, the impact of acute preoperative correction on postoperative recovery remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate whether a single high-dose Vitamin D supplementation prior to orthopaedic surgery improves short-term postoperative outcomes. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, prospective study enrolled 40 patients scheduled for elective orthopaedic procedures. Participants were randomized into two groups: • Group 1 (Intervention): Received 600,000 IU of Vitamin D intramuscularly before surgery. • Group 2 (Control): Received no supplementation. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively. Clinical outcomes included early postoperative recovery markers and complications. Results: • Vitamin D levels: Group 1 showed a statistically significant increase in mean serum 25(OH)D levels compared to Group 2. However, paradoxically, the postoperative levels in the supplemented group were lower than their preoperative baseline. • Clinical outcomes: No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of early postoperative recovery or complication rates. Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, acute preoperative high-dose Vitamin D supplementation does not significantly influence short-term postoperative outcomes. Moreover, it may not lead to a reliable short-term biochemical correction of Vitamin D status.