Management of the diabetic surgical patient

Preview

Surgical procedures often cause major metabolic changes in even the healthiest patient. In a diabetic, these changes can complicate control of an already erratic blood glucose level. Dr Reynolds reviews the new classification of diabetes mellitus and the use of glycohemoglobin in assessing diabetic control, highlights the importance of recognizing diabetic complications in patients undergoing surgery, outlines preoperative assessment, and presents a protocol designed to maximize blood glucose control before, during, and after surgery.