The influence of anaesthesia with thiopentone and diazepam on the blood sugar level during surgery

Abstract

summary: Although during body surface surgery anaesthesia with thiopentone and diazepam was accompanied by a small rise in bloodsugar, the pattern of hyperglycaemic response was different with the two agents. With thiopentone, the rise in blood sugarwas sustained throughout the 60-minute period of observation. When diazepam was substituted for thiopentone, although there was a similar rise at 15 minutes, the levels of blood sugar at 30, 45 and 60 minutes were not significantly elevated. The hyperglycaemic response in diabetic patients undergoing surgery during diazepam anaesthesia did not differ significantlyfrom that in the non-diabetic group of patients. © 1972 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.