Preoperative oral intake of 200 mL of 10% dextrose solution 2–3 hours before hip or lower extremity orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia is associated with significantly lower perioperative hunger and anxiety scores compared to standard fasting, as measured by Visual Analogue Scale in adult patients.

Drinking a sugary solution before surgery causes blood sugar to rise, which triggers the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin tells the brain to stop feeling hungry by reducing hunger signals and increasing fullness signals. It also tells the gut to release a hormone that lowers the stress hormone cortisol, which calms the nervous system and reduces anxiety. This happens before surgery, so the patient feels less hungry and less anxious during and after the procedure.