Glucose: a reevaluation of its intraoperative use in paediatric surgery
Lim, S.K.; Loh, S.P.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 52(1): 64-69
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 10968055 Document Number: 474842
Blood glucose concentrations were measured in 100 children immediately before and during surgery. These children were randomly assigned to receive lactated Ringer's (LR) solution or 5% glucose in lactated Ringer's (5%G/LR) intraoperatively as maintenance and replacement fluids. Blood samples were taken immediately after induction of anaesthesia and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and subsequent h. Blood glucose concentration was assayed by a reflectance meter. None of the patients was noted to be hypoglycaemic pre- and intraoperatively. Intraoperative blood glucose concentration increased significantly from preoperative levels for both groups of children but the increase in those that received 5%G/LR was significantly greater than those who received LR. The number of children who were hyperglycaemic during surgery was also greater in those who received 5% glucose in lactated Ringer's as their intraoperative fluid. It is suggested that lactated Ringer's alone is a safe and appropriate fluid for intraoperative fluid therapy in children.