Comparison of blood glucose level in diabetics undergoing orthopedic surgeries with general or spinal anesthesia

Abstract

Background: Diabetes increases the risk of peri-operative morbidity and mortality and research to decrease intraoperative blood glucose variations has been continued without any results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the blood glucose level in diabetics undergoing orthopedic surgeries with general or spinal anesthesia. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional descriptive analytic study the blood glucose levels were evaluated in 80 diabetic patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries during general and spinal anesthesia before surgery, after incision, after one hour and in recovery. Results: 25 patients were male and 55 were female. The age of patients in spinal group was 64.90±10.73 and in general group 60.78±10.86 years old. Body Mass Index in spinal group was 27.85±3.69 and in general group 29.43±3.57. Blood glucose levels were not significantly different between two groups. The blood glucose levels were significant in samples taken between incision and recovery period in both groups. Conclusions: The blood glucose level during surgery and anesthesia has been increased continuously and this increase in general group had a steeper slope but it was acceptable.