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The effects of honey solution on postoperative stress, gastric motility, and patient comfort: a randomized controlled trial

Janja Tarčuković, Lucia Klarica, Mario Dugonjić, Ivan Vuksan, Tomislav Pavlešić, Pavica Šonjić, L. Bilić-Zulle, M. Zupcic et al.

Croatian Medical Journal, 2025

55 participants · 3 citations

Abstract

Aim To compare the effects of an in-house prepared honey solution (HS) and a commercial carbohydrate beverage (CCB) on postoperative stress response, gastric motility, and self-reported comfort in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods This randomized controlled trial enrolled 55 adult patients (the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the University Hospital Center Rijeka from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either HS (n = 20), prepared from diluted chestnut honey, or CCB (n = 35). Both solutions were administered in the volumes of 800 mL the evening before surgery and 400 mL two hours before anesthesia. Stress response and inflammation were assessed by measuring cortisol and interleukin 6 levels at six standardized time points. Gastric motility was evaluated with a paracetamol absorption test, and patient-reported outcomes were recorded postoperatively using a visual analogue scale. Results The HS group exhibited higher cortisol and interleukin 6 levels at multiple perioperative time points compared with the CCB group (P < 0.05). However, they had significantly improved gastric motility, with higher paracetamol concentrations 15 to 180 minutes post-ingestion (P = 0.028-0.001). Additionally, HS group reported reduced thirst, nausea, and pain, but had lower appetite and well-being scores. Conclusion While HS represents a potential natural…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 55 participants or records.

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