4/1/2018
Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Surgery
Registered users can also download a PDF or listen to a podcast of this Pearl.
Log in now, or create a free account to access bonus Pearls features.
Patients with diabetes undergoing surgery are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from their hypermetabolic stress response, preoperative catabolic state, altered nutritional status, changes in circulation, immobility, and glucose and electrolyte derangements.
As morbidity increases dramatically when preoperative blood glucose levels are elevated, all patients with diabetes should have an HgbA1C checked within three months of their intended procedure. Prior to surgery, care should be coordinated with the patient’s primary care provider or endocrinologist and an anesthesia consultation obtained to optimize glycemic control and other medical comorbidities. When possible, the patient’s diet and medications should be adjusted so they maintain a predominantly euglycemic state in the weeks before surgery. Fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels should be checked as necessary to achieve euglycemia.
The goal for the day of surgery is to avoid both hypoglycemia and excessive hyperglycemia. Patients with Type 1 diabetes may enter a keto acidotic state even at low levels of hyperglycemia. Cancellation of surgery should be considered in non-emergent cases with evidence of hyperglycemia. While there are not standard thresholds for hyperglycemia, standard practices include a hemoglobin A1c 7-9% or day-of-surgery glucose >300-500 mg/dL. For urgent or emergent cases, surgery may continue after shared decision-making with a focus on intraoperative and postoperative glucose control.
No standardized, evidence-based algorithm for diabetes management exists for gynecologic surgery. Due to the risk of metabolic acidosis, some guidelines recommend that metformin and other oral hypoglycemic agents should be withheld the day of surgery. For patients using insulin, the patient should receive 50% of their usual NPH dose or 75-80% of their usual long-acting insulin analog (e.g. glargine or detemir) for the last dose prior to surgery or their pump basal insulin dose. Due to associated delayed gastric emptying, some anesthesia guidelines recommend holding one dose of GLP-1 agonists prior to planned surgery. Because there is a lack of standard algorithms or consensus guidelines, surgeons should work with their anesthesia and endocrinology colleagues to develop local practices designed to optimize perioperative glucose control and avoid complications associated with medical management of diabetes.
Surgery induces a stress response with catecholamine and cortisol release, which reduces sensitivity to insulin. This induced catabolic state can lead to keto- and gluconeogenesis as well as the breakdown of glucagon, proteins, and fats, leading to hyperglycemia and ketosis. To manage this during surgery, the patient should be placed on a variable rate intravenous infusion of insulin or a sliding scale protocol if they will miss more than one meal. Medium and short acting insulins can be used for minor procedures. Insulin infusion is preferred for longer, more complex procedures. Type 1 diabetic patients should be maintained with a basal rate. Active evaluation and management of blood glucose intraoperatively is important to counteract the physiologic changes inherent to the use of anesthetics, sedatives, and analgesics.
In the perioperative period, the target glucose range should avoid hypo- or hyperglycemia, as this has been associated with lower rates of mortality. Tighter glycemic control does not appear to improve outcomes and risks hypoglycemia. Blood glucose monitoring should occur at least every 2-4 hours while patients remain NPO with additional short-acting insulin administered as needed.
Some medications commonly used in the peri-operative period can influence glycemic control. Etomidate, benzodiazepines, and opiates typically decrease the hyperglycemic response while most volatile anesthetic agents increase it. Regional anesthesia use is preferred because it has less impact on glucose and insulin metabolism.
If available, a diabetes specialist team should be utilized for care in the post-operative period. The patient’s usual diabetes management should be resumed as soon as feasible, generally once she is eating well. Diet should be advanced the same way as in nondiabetic patients.
Further Reading:
American Diabetes Association. 14. Diabetes Care in the Hospital: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2018. Diabetes Care. 2018 Jan;41(Suppl 1):S144-S151. doi: 10.2337/dc18-S014. PMID: 29222385.
Available at: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/41/Supplement_1/S144/29833/14-Diabetes-Care-in-the-Hospital-Standards-of.
Girish P. Joshi, M.B.B.S., M.D., Basem B. Abdelmalak, M.D., Wade A. Weigel, M.D., et al. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Task Force on Preoperative Fasting American Society of Anesthesiologists Consensus-Based Guidance on Preoperative Management of Patients (Adults and Children) on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists. June 29, 2023. https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2023/06/american-society-of-anesthesiologists-consensus-based-guidance-on-preoperative.
Joint British Diabetes Societies for inpatient care, Management of adults with diabetes undergoing surgery and elective procedures: improving standards. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/1730.
Duggan EW, Carlson K, Umpierrez GE. Perioperative Hyperglycemia Management: An Update. Anesthesiology. 2017 Mar;126(3):547-560. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000001515. Erratum in: Anesthesiology. 2018 Nov;129(5):1053. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000002425. PMID: 28121636; PMCID: PMC5309204.
Companion Pearl: Prevention of Complications in Women with Diabetes Undergoing Surgery
Initial approval 1/2018. Revised July 2019. Reaffirmed March 2, 2021. Revised September 2022. Revised July 2024.
The Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. (“SASGOG”) is committed to accuracy and will review and validate all Pearls on an ongoing basis to reflect current practice.
This document is designed to aid practitioners in providing appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care. Recommendations are derived from major society guidelines and high-quality evidence when available, supplemented by the opinion of the author and editorial board when necessary. It should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed.
Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. SASGOG reviews the articles regularly; however, its publications may not reflect the most recent evidence. While we make every effort to present accurate and reliable information, this publication is provided “as is” without any warranty of accuracy, reliability, or otherwise, either express or implied. SASGOG does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the products or services of any firm, organization, or person. Neither SASGOG nor its respective officers, directors, members, employees, or agents will be liable for any loss, damage, or claim with respect to any liabilities, including direct, special, indirect, or consequential damages, incurred in connection with this publication or reliance on the information presented.
Copyright 2024 The Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. All rights reserved. No re-print, duplication or posting allowed without prior written consent.
Back to Search Results