Perioperative Management of the Diabetic Patient

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasingly common medical condition affecting approximately 8% of the population of the United States. Of these 25 million people, it is estimated that nearly 7 million are unaware that they have the disease until faced with associated complications. ^{[1, 2]} The prevalence of DM is even greater in hospitalized patients.

The American Diabetes Association conservatively estimates that 12-25% of hospitalized adult patients have diabetes mellitus (DM). With the increasing prevalence of diabetic patients undergoing surgery, and the increased risk of complications associated with diabetes mellitus, appropriate perioperative assessment and management are imperative.

An estimated 25% of diabetic patients will require surgery. Mortality rates in diabetic patients have been estimated to be up to 5 times greater than in nondiabetic patients, often related to the end-organ damage caused by the disease. Chronic complications resulting in microangiopathy (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) and macroangiopathy (atherosclerosis) directly increase the need for surgical intervention and the occurrence of surgical complications due to infections and vasculopathies. ^{[3, 4, 5, 6]}

Infections account for 66% of postoperative complications and nearly one quarter of perioperative deaths in patients with DM. Data suggest impaired leukocyte function, including altered chemotaxis and phagocytic activity. Tight control of serum glucose is important to minimize infection.

In addition to postoperative infectious complications, postoperative myocardial ischemia is increased among patients with DM undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgery. ^{[7, 8, 9]} Fortunately, tighter glycemic control has been shown to have a profound effect on reducing the incidence of many of these complications in a variety of surgical populations. ^{[10, 11, 12, 13, 14]}

In 2001 Van den Berghe and colleagues demonstrated a significant mortality benefit with using continuous insulin infusions to maintain glycemic control at 80-110 mg/dL. ^[10] Other studies showed similar results. ^{[15, 16]} The attempts to recreate these data have generated conflicting data, as well as questions including to what degree glycemic control can be safely maintained and whether the needed resources are justifiable. The benefits of tighter glycemic control have been well documented in many patient populations; however, the optimal range for glucose has yet to be well defined. Studies have also identified the potential cost of tight glycemic control because of the increased incidence of severe hypoglycemia.

Patients treated with insulin analogues reportedly have fewer episodes of hypoglycemia; however, the cost of these agents has been a concern. In a Canadian study, Cameron and Bennett compared the cost-effectiveness of insulin analogues and conventional insulins for treatment of type 1 and type 2 DM in adults and determined that the cost-effectiveness of insulin analogues depends on the type of insulin analogue and the type of diabetes. ^[17] These investigators concluded although the use of rapid-acting insulin analogues in type 1 DM is cost effective, the routine use of insulin analogues, especially long-acting analogues in type 2 DM, is not. ^[17]

Balancing the risks of hypoglycemia against the known benefits in morbidity and mortality is the goal, and, although intensive glycemic control continues to be standard of care, current consensus guidelines recommend less stringent glycemic goals, typically between 80-150 mg/dL.

The ultimate goal in the management of diabetic patients is to achieve outcomes equivalent to those in patients without DM. A meta-analysis of 15 studies reported that hyperglycemia increased both in-hospital mortality and incidence of heart failure in patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction, independent of a previous diagnosis of DM, demonstrating that the presence of DM is not as important as the control of blood glucose concentrations.

Comprehensive preoperative assessment and intensive intraoperative and postoperative management by a multidisciplinary team are recommended. A strong grasp of glucose insulin complexities and the effects of anesthesia and surgery are essential to optimizing outcomes.

For more information, see Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1.

For more information, see Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicineHealth's Diabetes Center.

In addition, see eMedicineHealth's patient education articles Diabetes, Peripheral Vascular Disease, and Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar).

Glucose metabolism is largely a function of the liver, the pancreas, and, to a lesser degree, peripheral tissues. The liver plays a variety of roles in glucose regulation: it extracts glucose and stores it in the form of glycogen and performs gluconeogenesis as well as glycogenolysis. The pancreas secretes counter-regulatory hormones: insulin from islet beta cells, which lowers blood glucose concentrations, and glucagon from islet alpha cells, which raises blood glucose concentrations. Additional contributors to glucose metabolism include the catabolic hormones: epinephrine, glucocorticoids, and growth hormone, all of which raise blood glucose concentrations. Peripheral tissues participate in glucose metabolism by extracting glucose for energy needs, thus lowering blood glucose levels.

Appropriate glucose regulation preserves the availability of glucose to these tissues. For example, in the fasting state, insulin secretion decreases and catabolic hormone levels rise. In the case of absolute insulin deficiency (type 1 diabetes mellitus), unopposed catabolic action leads to hyperglycemia and, eventually, diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a peripheral resistance to insulin, and, in general, patients are less susceptible to developing ketoacidosis.

The foundation of the preoperative assessment is a comprehensive history and physical examination. Because estimates suggest that one quarter of diabetic patients are unaware of their disease, it may be prudent to screen all patients undergoing intermediate or major surgery by checking glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c or A1C).

In patients with known DM, the standard preoperative documentation should be expanded to include the following details of current diabetes management: duration of treatment, specific medication regimen, and issues with insulin resistance or hypersensitivity. If available, this information will be detailed in the patient's diabetes journal. The American Diabetes Association recommends an HbA1c test for all patients with DM or hyperglycemia (blood glucose level of >140 mg/dL) who are admitted to the hospital if the test was not performed during the previous 3 months. ^[18]

History

The history should assess for symptoms of cardiac, retinal, renal, neurologic, and peripheral vascular disease. Because the mortality rate from heart disease is 2-4 times greater in diabetic patients than nondiabetic individuals, a comprehensive cardiac history should be completed for patients undergoing intermediate or major noncardiac surgery. In patients undergoing major vascular surgery, this should include either noninvasive myocardial function studies (dobutamine stress echocardiography) or coronary artery angiography.

To summarize, the history should include the following:

• Suggestive symptoms (eg, polyuria/polydipsia, blurred vision)

• Eating patterns, nutritional status, exercise history, and weight history

• Current treatment of diabetes, including medication regimen, diet, exercise, and glucose monitoring results

• Frequency, severity, and etiology of acute complications (eg, ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia)

• Previous or current infections (eg, skin, foot, dental, genitourinary)

• Symptoms and treatment of chronic microvascular or macrovascular complications (eg, eye; kidney; nerve; genitourinary, bladder, and gastrointestinal function; heart; peripheral vascular; foot; and cerebrovascular complications)

• Nondiabetic medications that may affect blood glucose levels (eg, corticosteroids)

• Risk factors for atherosclerosis (eg, smoking, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, family history)

• History and treatment of other conditions (eg, endocrine and eating disorders)

• Family history of DM and endocrine disorders

• Lifestyle, cultural, psychosocial, and economic factors that might influence DM management

• Tobacco, alcohol, and controlled substance use

Physical examination

The physical examination includes assessment for orthostatic hypotension, a potential sign of autonomic neuropathy. A funduscopic examination may provide insight into the patient's risk of developing postoperative blindness, especially following prolonged spinal surgery in the prone position and cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.

Type 1 DM is associated with a "stiff joint" syndrome, which poses a significant risk during airway management at the time of general anesthesia. The temporomandibular, atlantooccipital, and other cervical spine joints may be affected. These patients also tend to have short stature and waxy skin, related to chronic hyperglycemia and nonenzymatic glycosylation of collagen and its deposition in joints. ^[19] An inability to approximate the palmar surfaces of the phalangeal joints while pressing the hands together—a positive "prayer sign" (see the image below)—represents cervical spine immobility and the potential for a difficult endotracheal intubation.

A positive "prayer sign" can be elicited on examination with the patient unable to approximate the palmar surfaces of the phalangeal joints while pressing their hands together; this represents cervical spine immobility and the potential for a difficult endotracheal intubation.

Further airway evaluation should include assessment of thyroid gland size, as patients with type 1 DM have a 15% association of other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves disease.

Finally, the degree of preoperative neurologic dysfunction is important to document, especially before the administration of regional anesthesia or peripheral nerve blocks, to assess the degree of subsequent nerve injury.

To summarize, the physical examination should include the following:

• Blood pressure (including orthostatic measurements)

• Funduscopic examination

• Airway examination

• Thyroid palpation

• Cardiac examination

• Abdominal examination (hepatomegaly)

• Evaluation of pulses by palpation and with auscultation

• Feet examination

• Skin examination (insulin-injection sites)

• Neurologic examination

Given that patients with DM are treated with a variety of regimens and are scheduled for surgery at varying times of the day, there is no established consensus for optimal perioperative management. ^{[3, 5, 6, 20, 21]} However, using general management principles to minimize the likelihood of hypoglycemia and to limit the incidence of excessive hyperglycemia should guide decision making. Patients should communicate specifics of their surgical procedure to their endocrinologist or internist and, in conjunction with their anesthesiologist, be advised on modifications to their current regimen.

In general, on the day of surgery, patients on oral regimens should be advised to discontinue these medications. Secretagogues (eg, sulfonylureas, meglitinides) have the potential to cause hypoglycemia. In addition, sulfonylureas may interfere with ischemic myocardial preconditioning and may theoretically increase the risk of perioperative myocardial ischemia and infarction. Patients taking metformin should be advised to discontinue this drug preoperatively because of the risk of developing lactic acidosis. For these patients, short-acting insulin may be administered subcutaneously on a sliding scale or as a continuous infusion, to maintain optimal glucose control, depending on the type and duration of surgery.

Patients who are insulin dependent are typically advised to reduce their bedtime dose of insulin the night before surgery to prevent hypoglycemia while nil per os (NPO). Maintenance insulin may be continued, based on the history of glucose concentrations and the discretion of the advising clinician. Patients may be advised to consult with their anesthesiologist and diabetes-managing practitioner for individualized recommendations regarding their diabetes plan. Additionally, patients should be monitored preoperatively to assess for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Surgery induces a considerable stress response mediated by the neuroendocrine system through the release of catecholamines, glucagon, and cortisol. The principal mechanism lies with the elevation of sympathetic tone, with a subsequent release of cortisol and catecholamines during surgery. This compensatory mechanism is impaired in diabetic patients through a relative insulin deficiency (type 2) or an absolute insulin deficiency (type 1), necessitating supplemental insulin in the perioperative period. Thus, patients with type 1 DM usually require intravenous insulin therapy, depending on the nature of surgery, and are more predisposed to end-organ complications than patients with type 2 DM. Patients with type 2 DM need to have their oral hypoglycemic drugs discontinued preoperatively, with intravenous insulin administered if dictated by the extent of the procedure.

Even nondiabetic patients, because of the considerable stress response, may become hyperglycemic perioperatively. Multiple randomized controlled studies have shown that controlling serum glucose levels in all patients, not merely those with DM, impacts the outcome of surgical patients who are critically ill. This effect does not appear to be related to the dose of insulin but rather to the absolute level of serum glucose achieved.

Anesthetic agents can affect glucose metabolism through the modulation of sympathetic tone; in vitro data suggest that inhalational agents suppress insulin secretion. ^[22] The resulting relative insulin deficiency often leads to glucose dysregulation and hyperglycemia. This deficiency is compounded in diabetic patients, particularly those with insulin resistance, raising the risk of ketoacidosis. The use of regional anesthesia or peripheral nerve blocks may mitigate these concerns, but no data suggest that these forms of anesthesia improve postoperative survival in patients with DM.

The goals for glycemic control are tailored to each patient based on a number of factors, such as the nature of the surgery, severity of the underlying illness, modality used to achieve glycemic control, patient age, and sensitivity to insulin. Numerous clinical trials have involved various patient populations and examined the implications of perioperative hyperglycemia. Based on data derived from these studies, the American Diabetes Association made recommendations for managing blood glucose levels in hospitalized patients with DM (see Table 1).

Table 1. Consensus Recommendations for Target Inpatient Blood Glucose Concentrations (Open Table in a new window)

An elevated HbA1c immediately before surgery may provide insight to a patient’s risk for postoperative diabetic-related complications. Before elective surgery, an HbA1c value of less than 6% would be ideal. It is unknown whether tighter glycemic control may further reduce complications; however, tighter control comes at the cost of an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Less intensive glycemic control may be indicated in patients with severe or frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. Special populations of diabetic patients, such as pregnant women and the elderly, may require additional considerations. In addition, a plan for hypoglycemia should be delineated for individual patients.

For more information, see Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State.

Because of the numerous potential perioperative complications in diabetic patients, close monitoring is imperative to maintain glycemic control, while minimizing hypoglycemia. After assessment, patients who were taking oral agents before surgery may be able to restart their previous regimen postoperatively. However, the appropriateness of oral agents needs to be reassessed because of potential complications (see Table 2). Intravenous insulin is the most flexible and readily titratable agent, making it an ideal modality for perioperative use.

Table 2. Considerations for Oral Agents (Open Table in a new window)

The length of surgery, the type of surgery, and the degree of glycemic dysregulation dictate the amount of supplemental insulin. For patients with type 1 DM, it is recommended to schedule elective surgeries as the first case of the day to minimally disrupt their DM regimen. Depending on the length and extent of surgery, patients may be advised to administer one half of their daily dose of long-acting insulin and to arrive at the preoperative admitting area early enough to have their serum glucose monitored and to determine whether they need intravenous dextrose until the time of surgery.

Perioperative methods for achieving glycemic control

Establish separate intravenous access for a "piggyback" infusion of regular insulin (100 U per 100 mL 0.9% saline). The infusion rate can be determined by using the following formula: insulin (U/hr) = serum glucose (mg/dL)/150. Intra-arterial catheter placement is recommended to facilitate checking blood glucose concentrations every 1-2 hours intraoperatively and postoperatively. A second intravenous catheter may be used for intravascular volume replacement with a normal saline solution.

Numerous insulin protocols are available, with varying reliability and validation. In addition, computer-based systems are available that calculate the continued dosing based on glucose concentration and rate of change. ^[16]

An example of such a system is the Glucommander. ^[16] Initial parameters and baseline glucose value are entered. The program then recommends an insulin infusion rate and intervals to check subsequent glucose levels; this process may be repeated indefinitely. The amount of insulin recommended is based on a simple equation: insulin per hour = multiplier x (blood glucose – 60). Blood glucose concentrations are monitored as frequently as every 20 minutes up to a maximum interval specified in the initial orders. Typically, the monitoring interval is every hour, lengthening when glucose values stabilize in the target range and shortening if blood glucose values are changing rapidly. The Glucommander has been successfully implemented in critically ill, as well as noncritically ill, patient populations. Ongoing studies are assessing the utility of the Glucommander (see Clinical Trials and Guidelines).

Postoperatively, diabetic patients present unique challenges. Initiation of nutrition is often delayed and frequently interrupted for diagnostic studies or procedures. To reduce the likelihood of adverse effects, the regimen selected should accommodate ongoing changes and reflect the patient's current clinical status. These include nutritional feeding (continuous vs intermittent), severity of illness, and corticosteroid and catecholamine use.

Table 3 summarizes the numerous complications of DM and the methods to minimize perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Table 3. Adult Diabetic Complications and Therapeutic Considerations/Strategies (Open Table in a new window)

To see complete information on the topics below, please go to the main article by clicking on the title:

• Diabetic Neuropathy

• Diabetic Nephropathy

• Diabetic Retinopathy

Perioperative beta-blocker therapy should be considered for all diabetic patients undergoing intermediate or major risk noncardiac surgery as a means to decrease the incidence of postoperative myocardial ischemia and infarction. It is prudent to also assess all patients for orthostatic hypotension. This is easily diagnosed by performing a "tilt test" in the operating room, with patients receiving appropriate intravascular volume resuscitation before initiating any form of regional or general anesthesia. Patients suspected of gastroparesis should receive a prokinetic drug before the administration of general anesthesia to decrease the incidence of gastric acid aspiration.

Aseptic technique is particularly critical for patients with DM to decrease the incidence of postoperative infection. In addition, temperature control is also essential, as hypothermia can lead to peripheral insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, deceased wound healing, and infection. Hypothermia has been associated with an increase in wound infection following colon resection, craniotomy for cerebral aneurysm clipping, and open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Intraoperative management of intravascular volume may require the use of a central venous pressure catheter, a pulmonary artery catheter, or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to optimally guide therapy and to prevent end-organ hypoperfusion. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis should include assessment of blood glucose levels, in addition to sodium, potassium, and pH. Patients with type 1 DM are predisposed to developing ketoacidosis during periods of major stress; therefore, they should be monitored by arterial blood gas analysis during and after major surgery.

Clinical trials

See the list below:

• Associated Factors in Perioperative Hypoglycemia in Patients With Diabetes

• Comparative Trial Between 3 Types of Insulin Infusion Protocols

• Coronary Blood Flow Regulation During General Anesthesia

• Diabetes in the Perioperative Period

• Long-Term Mortality in Diabetics Undergoing Major Surgery

• Rosuvastatin Prevent Contrast Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Diabetes

• Trial Between a Computer-Guided Insulin Infusion Protocol Versus a Standard Insulin Infusion Algorithm in Medical ICU

National Guideline Clearinghouse

See the list below:

• Adult diabetes clinical practice guidelines. Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute - Managed Care Organization. 2004 Mar (revised 2006). 206 pages. NGC:005175

• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice for the management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes and pregnancy. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists - Medical Specialty Society

• American College of Endocrinology - Medical Specialty Society. 2000 Jan (revised 2007). 5 pages. NGC:005858

• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice for the management of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes management in the hospital setting. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists - Medical Specialty Society

• American College of Endocrinology - Medical Specialty Society. 2000 Jan (revised 2007). 5 pages. NGC:005859

• Basic guidelines for diabetes care. California Diabetes Program - Private Nonprofit Organization; Diabetes Coalition of California - Private Nonprofit Organization. 1999 Jan (revised 2008 Aug). Various pagings. NGC:006907

• Clinical guidelines for type 2 diabetes. Prevention and management of foot problems National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care - National Government Agency [Non-U.S.]. 2004 Jun 17. 103 pages. [NGC Update Pending] NGC:003546

• Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. University of Michigan Health System - Academic Institution. 1996 May (revised 2008 Jan). 21 pages. NGC:006273

• Standards of medical care in diabetes. I. Classification and diagnosis. American Diabetes Association - Professional Association. 1988 (revised 2008 Jan). 2 pages. NGC:006277

• Standards of medical care in diabetes. VIII. Diabetes care in specific settings. American Diabetes Association - Professional Association. 1998 (revised 2008 Jan). 7 pages. NGC:006284