title: Use of i.v. insulin in well-controlled non-insulin-dependent diabetics undergoing major surgery.
abstract: We conducted a randomized, prospective study to assess the effect of i.v. insulin on blood glucose control, development of ketone bodies and hormonal changes in 60 well-controlled, non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDDM) undergoing major surgery. In group A, patients were given only 0.9% saline; in group B, patients were given insulin as a continuous i.v. infusion (1.25 u. h-1); in group C, patients were given insulin 10 u. i.v. boluses every 2 h. Patients in all three groups were given insulin 5 u. when their intraoperative blood glucose concentration increased to greater than 11.1 mmol litre-1. Blood glucose concentrations were measured every 15 min, from just before induction of anaesthesia to 2 h after surgery. Plasma lactate, pyruvate, ketone body, C-peptide and counter-regulatory hormone concentrations were also measured. Blood glucose concentrations in the three groups did not differ significantly. There was a mild-to-moderate increase in plasma ketone body concentrations in group A, but without any deleterious consequences. Plasma C-peptide concentrations decreased significantly in groups B and C, especially in patients given bolus injections of insulin. Plasma growth hormone concentrations also increased significantly in group B and C patients. This study indicated that the "no insulin--no glucose" regimen was a simple, effective way to control blood glucose in well-controlled NIDDM patients, provided blood glucose was measured frequently and insulin used appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Hôpital Saint-Roch, Nice, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raucoules-Aimé
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Labib
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levraut
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gastaud
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolisi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grimaud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D007657:Ketone Bodies