Evaluation of the effect of perioperative blood sugar level on surgical site infections in patients undergoing total mastectomy

Abstract

Background: Stress hyperglycemia during surgeries has been reported to increase the possibility of surgical site infections (SSIs) and worsen the patient’s prognosis. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between perioperative blood sugar level and SSIs in patients undergoing mastectomy. Methods: In this prospective case-control study, 158 female patients undergoing mastectomy were included with diabetes as an exclusion criterion. Blood glucose levels were measured in 5 phases for each patient. Results: Among 158 studied patients, 8 (5.5%) developed SSIs. Four patients (2.74%) in the control group and 4 patients (50%) in the case group had hyperglycemia in at least one of the stages. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated associations between SSI development and any blood glucose value of more than 150 mg/dL. It seems that age, medical history, current smoking, tumor characteristics, previous chemoradiotherapy, surgical duration, administration of prophylactic antibiotics, and other surgical factors have not been significantly correlated with SSI. Conclusions: As hyperglycemia is an easily controllable factor, the control of blood sugar levels during the perioperative period is recommended in patients undergoing breast surgeries to decrease SSI rates.