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According to Centers for Disease Control data, the incidence of diabetes mellitus in the United States in 2015 was 30.3 million and is predicted to increase yearly with an already prediabetic population of 84 million. The prevalence of diabetes is highest in the Alaska Native and Native American populations, followed by African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Whites. Diabetes can cause a lot of complications, not only in the long run but also during acute hyperglycemic events. It has been found that hyperglycemia during surgical interventions may impair the healing process, increase infections, and lengthen hospital stays. Overall morbidity and mortality can increase by 50%, necessitating tight glycemic control during operations. This activity reviews the intraoperative management of diabetes and highlights the interprofessional team's role in managing patients with diabetes mellitus. Objectives: Identify the indications for intraoperative management of diabetes. Assess the complications of unregulated hyperglycemia during surgery. Determine the clinical benefits of regulating blood glucose during surgery. Strategize with the interprofessional team to improve care coordination and patient outcomes. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

According to Centers for Disease Control data, the incidence of diabetes mellitus in the United States in 2015 was 30.3 million and is predicted to increase yearly with an already prediabetic population of 84 million.[1] The prevalence of diabetes is highest in the Alaska Native and Native American populations, followed by African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Whites.[1]  There are different types of diabetes mellitus described in the latest American Diabetes Association (ADA) classification, but the two most commonly seen are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.[2] Type 1 diabetes is an immune-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Due to this insulin deficiency, individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on lifelong exogenous insulin administration to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Often referred to in the past as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes typically manifests in younger individuals, commonly being diagnosed during childhood, teenage years, or early adulthood. Many times, the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is made when a patient is admitted to the hospital for diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketosis.[2] Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset diabetes, was traditionally seen in older individuals. However, due to rising obesity rates, type 2 diabetes now affects a broad age range, from children to older individuals. Type 2 diabetes arises either from peripheral insulin resistance or a reduction in insulin secretion. Although the exact mechanism is not universally agreed upon, it's hypothesized that increased intracellular fatty acid metabolites may activate a serine kinase cascade, impairing insulin signaling.[1] Typically, by the time of diagnosis, more than 60% of pancreatic beta cells may have lost their function.[3] Complete beta cell destruction may occur as the disease progresses, necessitating reliance on exogenous insulin. Initially, type 2 diabetes is typically managed with oral hypoglycemic agents and lifestyle modifications. Studies have demonstrated that caloric restriction and weight loss can improve glycemic control.[4]

Control of hyperglycemia intraoperatively is of great importance because there is a 50% increase in morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to patients without diabetes mellitus.[13] Research correlates perioperative hyperglycemia with increased hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, poor healing progression[14], and higher numbers of postoperative cases of pneumonia, systemic blood infection, urinary tract infection, acute renal failure, and acute myocardial infarction.[13] Hypokalemia is an associated complication of hyperglycemia treatment with insulin, especially with coinciding diabetic ketoacidosis. Insulin drives potassium extracellular and hydrogen ions intracellular. Excess potassium is lost in urine due to osmotic diuresis. Other derangements include hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and QT prolongation.[15] Other life-threatening complications of insulin use include hypoglycemia. Those treated with tight glycemic control were five times more likely to experience severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose less than 40 mg/dL) postoperatively in comparison to liberal glucose treatment.[16] Symptoms of hypoglycemia include tremors, sweating, dizziness, light-headedness, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Intraoperatively hypoglycemia can cause a delay in emergence from anesthesia until exogenous glucose is administered to normalize blood sugar.[17]

Each institution should develop a standardized protocol for hyperglycemia to be used in the preoperative area, intraoperative, and postanesthesia care units to ensure optimal perioperative glucose control. Communication amongst an interprofessional group is necessary as surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists, internal medicine providers, endocrinologists, pharmacists, and nurses are usually closely involved in patient care. Most patients will come from the main floor or the intensive care unit, so there should be a good handoff. After the operation, prioritizing optimal communication among the care teams is crucial for the patient's recovery. This approach ensures continuity of care until the patient fully recovers. If any complications or adverse effects arise, they should be promptly addressed in a multidisciplinary team approach. Any changes in the patient's diabetes management must be communicated to their primary care physicians or endocrinologists. These healthcare providers will follow up with the patient to adjust medications or implement other measures for maintaining optimal diabetes control at all times. An interprofessional team strategy is critical in preventing long-term complications associated with diabetes.

Before undergoing surgery, patients need to consult with their regular healthcare providers (eg, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, or endocrinologists) who manage their diabetes. This consultation will allow patients to tailor their diabetes management for the upcoming procedure. Intraoperatively, the anesthesia team assumes responsibility for diabetes treatment decisions. The anesthesia team should provide a detailed account of the diabetes management during the surgery to the healthcare team caring for the patients postoperatively. This continuity of care will ensure there are no gaps in diabetes management, from surgery to full recovery and eventual discharge from the hospital.