Glycemic Control of Surgical Patients. What is Correct,What is Not

Perioperative hyperglycemia is very common among critically ill patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). Perioperative elevated levels of blood glucose (BG) have been linked with increases in morbidity, infections, anastomotic failure, autoimmune dysfunction, and raised mortality and prolongation of hospitalization. A variety of different approaches have been taken for the control of BG in the perioperative period, and different methods of measurement have been proposed, among which, point of care (POC) meters, arterial blood gas analysis and venous plasma analysis prevail. The aim of this literature review was to provide evidence-based answers as to how BG levels should be monitored. We conclude that more conservative glycemic control is preferable to “tight glycemic control” (TGC), in order to avoid complications associated with episodes of hypoglycemia.