Please note that these guidelines are currently under review and will be updated in due course
Summary
Diabetes affects 10–15% of the surgical population and patients with diabetes undergoing surgery have greater complication rates, mortality rates and length of hospital stay. Modern management of the surgical patient with diabetes focuses on thorough pre-operative assessment and optimisation of their diabetes. The purpose of this guideline is to provide detailed guidance on the peri-operative management of the surgical patient with diabetes that is specific to anaesthetists and to ensure that all current national guidance is concordant.
These guidelines cover but are not limited to:
- Referral from primary care and planning surgery
- Management of existing therapy
- Intra-operative care and monitoring
- Fluid management
- Returning to 'normal' (pre-operative) medication and diet
- Patients with diabetes requiring emergency surgery
- Quality control and audit