Early Experience With an Endocrinology Preoperative Fast-Track Program for Optimizing Spine Surgery Candidates With Poorly Controlled Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies demonstrated an increase in adverse outcomes for patients undergoing elective surgeries with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. At a large, tertiary-care spine center with a notable population of patients with poorly controlled diabetes, an Endocrinology Fast-Track (EFT) program was developed to improve patient optimization before elective spine surgery. The purpose of this study was to report our early experience.

Methods: Seventy-five patients who were scheduled for elective spine surgery were noted to have Hgb A1c > 7 on preoperative evaluation. Thirty-two patients accepted referral to the EFT program and 43 declined (non-EFT). Mean preoperative Hgb A1c was similar between groups (EFT: 8.79 versus non-EFT: 9.26, P = 0.221). The Fast-Track program included counseling, education, and medical management.

Results: Patients in the two groups were similar in number of females (EFT: 17 versus non-EFT: 17, P = 0.348), age (EFT: 57.7 versus non-EFT: 60.6, P = 0.280), and body mass index (EFT: 34.6 versus non-EFT: 33.0, P = 0.341). A smaller number of smokers were there in the EFT group (1) compared with the non-EFT group (15, P = 0.003). The proportion of patients on insulin (EFT: 19 versus non-EFT: 23, P = 0.814) and oral hypoglycemics (EFT: 29 versus non-EFT: 39, P = 0.983) was similar between the two groups. Surgical clearance for patients with a documented preoperative Hgb A1c of < 7 or equivalent fructosamine level was significantly better in the Fast-Track group compared with the non-Fast-Track group (91% versus 42%, P = 0.000). Although most patients who declined the Fast-Track program did not obtain clearance for surgery, mean Hgb A1c was improved at the latest follow-up in both groups for those who obtained surgical clearance (7.10 versus 6.78, P = 0.470).

Discussion: A novel EFT program was successful in obtaining acceptable blood glucose control in patients recommended for spine surgery who had poorly controlled diabetes mellitus on preoperative evaluation. The improved blood glucose control was maintained at the latest follow-up.