This monocentric prospective randomized controlled pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative maltodextrin administration within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in pediatric surgical patients. Children aged 3 to 8 years undergoing elective day surgery will be randomized 1:1 to receive either a maltodextrin-containing clear liquid or a non-sugared clear liquid before surgery. The study will assess preoperative anxiety, patient compliance, parental anxiety, oxidative stress markers, postoperative feeding tolerance, and postoperative recovery outcomes.
Inclusion Criteria
- Pediatric patients aged 3 to 17 years
- Patients undergoing elective surgery in a day surgery setting
- Surgical procedure duration less than 60 minutes
- Written informed consent signed by a parent or legal guardian
Exclusion Criteria
- Maltodextrin intake within 3 hours before surgery
- Allergy or intolerance to maltodextrins
- Diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disorders potentially affecting study variables
- Inadequate nutritional status based on body mass index (BMI)
- Absence of signed informed consent by parent or legal guardian