The relationship of preoperative versus postoperative hyperglycemia on clinical outcomes after elective colorectal surgery

Abstract

Background: The relationship between preoperative hyperglycemia and complications after surgery is not well defined. We compared the relationship of preoperative versus postoperative hyperglycemia on clinical outcomes and assessed if preoperative hyperglycemia was a predictor for postoperative hyperglycemia in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of an institutional database for patients who underwent elective colorectal resection between July 2015 and June 2017. Data regarding patient characteristics, history of diabetes, preoperative and postoperative hyperglycemic events, and postoperative complications were collected. Bivariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to assess relationships.

Results: Of 755 surgical operations reviewed, preoperative hyperglycemia >180 mg/dL was not significantly associated with adverse outcomes in an adjusted model. Only postoperative hyperglycemia >180 mg/dL was significantly associated with complications, including acute kidney injury (odds ratio 2.58, P < 0.001), anastomotic leak (odds ratio 2.64, P = 0.01), arrhythmia (odds ratio 2.40, P = 0.009), and sepsis (odds ratio 3.86, P < 0.001). Preoperative hyperglycemia remained a significant predictor of postoperative hyperglycemia (odds ratio 4.91, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Postoperative hyperglycemia was more significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes after elective colorectal surgery than was preoperative hyperglycemia. However, preoperative hyperglycemia was associated with postoperative hyperglycemia, suggesting that improved glycemic management preoperatively may help reduce hyperglycemic events after surgery.