Background and objective: To evaluate the incidence of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in diabetic patients on the morning of eye surgery scheduled under local anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery facility.
Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of fasting blood glucose levels in 216 diabetic patients on 326 admissions.
Results: The fasting blood glucose level was 80 mg/dL or lower in 10 patient admissions (3%). Hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose level of greater than 300 mg/dL) was present on 8 admissions (2.4%).
Conclusions: Blood glucose levels need to be monitored in diabetic patients undergoing even short surgical procedures. The dosage of long-acting insulins or oral hypoglycemics given the night prior to surgery may have to be reduced to prevent hypoglycemia on the morning of surgery.