The Effect of Preoperative Fasting On Patient's Blood Glucose, Dehydration, and Anxiety Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study investigated the effects of preoperative fasting durations on blood glucose levels, dehydration signs, and anxiety in 92 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a university hospital. Findings showed that patients experienced significantly longer fasting times than recommended, with prolonged solid fasting correlating with lower preoperative and eighth-hour postoperative blood glucose levels, increased anxiety, and certain dehydration symptoms such as prominence of lingual fissures and delayed skin turgor return. Extended liquid fasting was also associated with dehydration indicators including nausea, thirst, increased heart rate, and skin turgor changes. The study suggests that adherence to guideline-recommended fasting durations may reduce negative physiological and psychological effects, and highlights the role of surgical nurses in patient education and monitoring during the perioperative period.