Insulin treatment of the insulin-dependent diabetic patient undergoing minor surgery

1365-2044

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

In a prospective randomised study in 20 insulin-dependent diabetics who had minor surgery under general anaesthesia we compared the metabolic responses to intravenous glucose-insulin-potassium infusion with those who had conventional subcutaneous insulin administration. The former treatment resulted in lower blood glucose levels both during the infusion period (p 〈 0.05) as well as the entire observation period (operative, first and second postoperative days; p 〈 0.01). More blood glucose values were within the intended range of 5 to 10 mmol/litre in the glucose-insulin-potassium as compared to the conventional group (48% versus 24%; p 〈 0.01). The levels of lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, glycerol, alanine, glucagon, insulin and growth hormone did not differ between the two groups. The infusion regimen resulted in better glycaemic control both peri-and postoperatively than the conventional subcutaneous insulin regimen in insulin-dependent diabetic patients who have minor surgery.

Electronic Resource