Perioperative Low Carb Diet in a Type 2 Diabetic Prior Duodenopacreatectomy

Background: There is a positive association between various types of cancer and diabetes. Duodenopancreatectomy is the treatment of choice for diabetic patients with duodenal tumors. Pancreatic resections may trigger endocrine insufficiency. There is an association between poor glycemic control and lower survival rates. Low carb diets appears to be an effective approach in the treatment of diabetic patients that require pancreatic resections. Case Presentation: We report the case of a type II diabetic diagnosed with resectable duodenum cancer. At the time of diagnosis he was jaundiced and with decompensated diabetes. The patient was submitted to a low carb diet for three weeks and, having improved its physiological and metabolic parameters, we performed a duodenopancreatectomy. The patient evolved without complications, with easy management of postoperative glycemia. Conclusions: Low carb diets can prove to be a powerful, inexpensive, and safe tool to add to our therapeutic arsenal before pancreatic resections.