What is the optimal glucose level for surgery?

What is the optimal glucose level for surgery?

• A. 60-100 mg/dl
• B. 70-160 mg/dl
• C. 80-180 mg/dl
• D. 200-240 mg/dl

Answer: (C)

During surgery the body experiences a stress response that raises blood glucose, while anesthesia can mask signs of low glucose. The goal is to stay in a safe window that prevents both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Maintaining glucose around 80-180 mg/dL achieves this balance: it minimizes the risk of hypoglycemia, which can cause brain injury and hemodynamic instability under anesthesia, and it also reduces the complications of hyperglycemia, such as impaired immune function, poor wound healing, and higher infection risk. Extremely low targets (toward the 60s to 100s) increase the chance of dangerous hypoglycemia, while making glucose stay very high (above about 180) during surgery promotes infection and other complications. A mid-range target like 80-180 mg/dL is widely recommended for intraoperative and perioperative glucose control, providing a safe compromise that supports recovery.

During surgery the body experiences a stress response that raises blood glucose, while anesthesia can mask signs of low glucose. The goal is to stay in a safe window that prevents both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Maintaining glucose around 80-180 mg/dL achieves this balance: it minimizes the risk of hypoglycemia, which can cause brain injury and hemodynamic instability under anesthesia, and it also reduces the complications of hyperglycemia, such as impaired immune function, poor wound healing, and higher infection risk. Extremely low targets (toward the 60s to 100s) increase the chance of dangerous hypoglycemia, while making glucose stay very high (above about 180) during surgery promotes infection and other complications. A mid-range target like 80-180 mg/dL is widely recommended for intraoperative and perioperative glucose control, providing a safe compromise that supports recovery.