Preoperative carbohydrate loading: evolution, trends, and future directions

Research on PCL has transitioned from early physiological validation to widespread clinical integration within ERAS protocols. The bibliometric patterns indicate that, despite substantial progress in understanding metabolic responses and perioperative management, key gaps remain in translating PCL evidence into personalized, harmonized, and technologically supported clinical nutrition practices. Clinicians and dietitians should prioritize tailoring PCL strategies to patient-specific factors, while integrating harmonized outcomes and technology to better assess individual responses. Besides, multidisciplinary collaboration between surgeons, anesthetists, and dietitians is essential to ensure consistent implementation.