[Blood sugar level in surgical patients].

Serum glucose levels of six different patient groups were investigated preoperatively, during operation, postoperatively and in the first postoperative days: Group A, 10 cholecystectomy patients with 5% glucose infusion 2000 ml/day at a constant infusion rate; group B, 10 cholecystectomy patients with 10% constant rate glucose infusion; group C, 20 cholecystectomy or hernia patients with saline infusion; group D, 34 patients with 5% free rate glucose infusion 2000 ml/day; group E, 15 atrial septal defect patients with 5% constant rate glucose infusion 1500 ml/day and group f, 14 valvular surgery patients with 5% constant rate glucose infusion. Serum glucose increased in all groups during the study, most in the group B and least in the group C. There were no significant differences between the groups A and D, so constant or "free" infusion rate are the same from this viewpoint. The differences between the saline group (C) and all other groups was per- and postoperatively and in the postoperative day significant (p less than 0.001). There were no significant differences between the open heart surgery groups (E and F) and general surgery groups (A and D).