Current practice in the perioperative management of patients with diabetes mellitus: a narrative review

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing, and patients with diabetes mellitus have both an increased likelihood of requiring surgery and of developing postoperative complications when they do. We summarise available evidence underpinning current guidelines on preoperative assessment and optimisation, perioperative management of prescribed insulin and oral hypoglycaemic medication, intraoperative glycaemic control, and postoperative patient care.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus; insulin; oral hypoglycaemic agent; postoperative complications; surgery.