Post-operative gastroparesis following carbohydrate loading in a diabetic patient

Gastroparesis is a syndrome of delayed gastric emptying associated with nausea, vomiting, and postprandial fullness. Despite multiple etiologies, diabetes is one of the principal causes of gastroparesis. This case report examines a 57 year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes type II (HbA1c 8.3%) complicated by diabetic nephropathy who was readmitted for gastroparesis after two days following uncomplicated robotic surgical staging for endometrial cancer. Prior to the procedure, the patient had received carbohydrate loading in accordance with our center's enhanced recovery pathway; this resulted in severe acute hyperglycemia, a recognized cause of gastroparesis in women with diabetes. During her readmission, she improved with bowel rest and optimization of glycemic control. This case suggests that routine pre-operative carbohydrate loading should be used with caution in poorly controlled diabetic patients.