M. Raucoulesaime et al., EFFECT OF SEVERITY OF SURGERY ON METABOLIC CONTROL AND INSULIN REQUIREMENTS IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC-PATIENTS, British Journal of Anaesthesia, 74(2), 1995, pp. 231-233
We have evaluated insulin requirements and the relationship between ho
rmonal variables, changes in blood glucose and insulin requirements in
insulin-dependent diabetic patients undergoing two degrees of severit
y of surgery: minor (vitrectomy) and major (gastrectomy, bowel resecti
on, hip replacement). The study began just before induction and ended
2 h after surgery. Blood glucose concentrations were comparable in bot
h groups but the total amount of insulin given was significantly great
er in the major surgery group. Plasma noradrenaline and cortisol conce
ntrations increased significantly during major surgery and there were
significant correlations between the increase in these counter-regulat
ory hormones and the amount of insulin administered. We conclude that
the metabolic changes occurring during surgery were small, but at the
cost of a marked increase in insulin requirements during major surgery
. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity seems to have been imp
licated in the increase in insulin requirements.