Diabetes is a prevalent chronic condition that affects millions worldwide, including the people of the Solomon Islands. In our previous issue, we discussed how diabetes increases the risk associated with surgeries. But can patients with diabetes undergo surgeries? Absolutely! In this article, we’ll provide essential tips to help these patients maintain stable blood sugar levels before and after their surgical procedures.
Controlling Blood Sugar Before Surgeries: Achieving optimal blood sugar control is crucial for the success of surgical procedures. Different surgeries have varying requirements for blood sugar management:
1. General Surgeries: For general surgeries, it’s essential to adjust blood sugar levels to create a safe environment for anesthesia and surgical procedures.
2. Critical Conditions: Patients with critical conditions such as heart attacks, acute appendicitis, or gastric perforation should prepare to receive surgery promptly, under insulin treatment to control blood sugar simultaneously.
3. Elderly Patients: Elderly patients with a high risk of diabetes complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and renal failure, should have flexible blood sugar control. We can’t delay surgeries due to strict blood sugar control in their case.
Applying Treatments to Control Blood Sugar: Patients should choose the appropriate treatment to manage their blood sugar based on their condition and the type of surgery they’re undergoing. Common treatments include medication, insulin injections, and insulin pumps for monitoring and delivery. Patients awaiting minor surgeries can often control their blood sugar through diet and exercise therapy, negating the need for pre-surgery insulin. However, those facing intermediate or major surgeries with poor blood glucose control should opt for intravenous or subcutaneous insulin treatment.
Controlling Blood Sugar After Surgeries: Post-surgery, patients can receive glucose intravenous injections along with insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels. Their blood sugar may fluctuate due to irregular food consumption during recovery, necessitating insulin treatment. However, this treatment should be adjusted based on blood glucose test results and the performance of their pancreatic islets.
Wound Healing and Diabetes: Diabetes can negatively impact wound healing after surgeries, potentially leading to delays and complications like infection. Minimally invasive surgery is a suitable option for diabetic patients due to smaller incisions, reduced bleeding, and faster recovery. In upcoming articles, we’ll delve into the details of minimally invasive surgery to help you better understand this beneficial approach.
Conclusion
For diabetes patients considering surgery, maintaining proper blood sugar control is essential to ensure a successful and safe procedure. By following these tips, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their blood sugar levels, improve surgical outcomes, and promote faster recovery.
Stay tuned for our next article, where we explore the world of minimally invasive surgery and its advantages for diabetic patients.
China Media Press
（Translated by HUANG BAILIN, International Office, Guizhou Medical University）
