Blood glucose control in the perioperative period: evidence for preventing surgical site infections

Abstract

doi: 10.5216/ree.v15i2.23898 - http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v15i2.23898

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to analyze the evidence available in literature regarding blood glucose control to prevent surgical site infection in the perioperative period. The integrative literature review was the chosen review method. The primary studies were searched on the following databases: Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and LILACS. Of the 26 primary studies included in the review, 12 were conduced with diabetes patients and 14 were performed with patients with and without diabetes; results showed a reduction in surgical site infection rates, mortality, and length of stay, when blood glucose is practiced. Nevertheless, due to the different outlines of the studied included, the investigated sample, type of surgery, blood glucose control parameters and methods, it is concluded that evidence is still insufficient to delimit the best level of target blood glucose and the ideal diet for blood glucose in the perioperative period.

Descriptors: Perioperative Nursing; Surgical Wound Infection; Glycemic Index.