The Sweet Dreams Trial - results submitted for presentation at the American Academy of Paediatric National Conference

Dr Maurizio Pacilli, Principal Investigator

Effects of preoperative carbohydrate drink on postoperative recovery after day-surgery in children: a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (The Sweet Dreams Trial)

In 2019, the Department of Paediatric Surgery in collaboration with the Department of Anaesthesia and Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, conducted the first randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing preoperative carbohydrate loading in Children, named “The Sweet Dreams Trial”. The trial involved the administration of a preoperative carbohydrate drink with the aim to improve postoperative recovery.

The trial was successfully completed in February 2020 after recruiting 120 patients aged between 4 and 16 years of age, undergoing day procedures at Monash Children’s Hospital.

Dr Maurizio Pacilli, who lead the study as Principal Investigator, said, ”Stand-alone clinical trials are always challenging, slow and costly and data show that more than two-thirds of clinical trials do not recruit their target number of patients within the specified timeframe”.

Speaking of the trial, Dr Pacilli said, “The team faced many issues throughout the year, particularly regarding patient recruitment and logistics surround the administration of the drinks in the preoperative period but this is a great example that how effective teamwork can positively affect outcomes.”.

Dr Pacilli congratulates his BMedSc(Hons) student Ashleigh Liard who was the coordinator for the trial.  “Her abilities to organise and motivate the team were instrumental to complete the trial within one year. Her motivation and persistence made all the difference in making this achievement possible”, 

he said.

The Sweet Dreams Trial team is extremely grateful for all the help throughout this year from the multiple departments, including all the Paediatric Surgeons, Paediatric Anaesthetists, dietitians, nurse unit managers and nursing staff.

Ashleigh would like to particularly thank her supervisors, Dr Maurizio Pacilli and Dr Ram Nataraja, and the rest of the trial team who offered invaluable support throughout the year; Dr Richard Barnes, Dr Anna Englin, Ms Lynsey Bramley, Ms Jacinta Winderlich and Ms Elizabeth Mount.

The results of the trial have been submitted for presentation at the prestigious American Academy of Paediatric National Conference and, allowing for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Team hopes to enjoy some of the San Diego year-round sunshine in October!