Association of perioperative hyperglycemic state with postoperative infection

Background: Perioperative hyperglycemia is frequently encountered in clinical practice. Recent evidence suggests that hyperglycemia plays a significant role in the development of postoperative infections (POI). Major focus has been placed on whether hyperglycemia, as an independent risk factor, is associated with increased infection. The optimal targeted blood glucose range to prevent POI remains unclear, especially in the intra-operative period.Aims and Objectives: To study the association between peri-operative hyperglycemia to the subsequent risk of post-operative infections through a prospective observational study.Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 101 patients undergoing different types of general surgery procedures followed up to 30 days post-operatively was done. Random blood Sugar (RBS) was taken (1) Pre-operatively (2) Intra-operatively (3) Postoperatively- after 6, 24 and 48 hours. Primary end points of the study were (1) Surgical wound infection (2) Urinary tract infection (3) Septicemia.Results: Out of 101 patients 57 developed perioperative hyperglycemia (incidence- 56.4%). In normoglycemic group of patients infection rate was 4.5% (2/44) as compared to 26.3% (15/57) in perioperative hyperglycemic group.Conclusion: The present study provides a convincing evidence of an association between perioperative hyperglycemia and post-operative infection apart from giving a possible relationship between preoperative blood sugar levels and postoperative infection.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(6) 2016 32-35