Postoperative hyperglycemia in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC: A cohort study

Background: Hyperglycemia following elective or emergency surgery is generally associated with an increased risk of complications. The impact of hyperglycemia following surgery for peritoneal surface malignancy remains unclear. Materials and methods: Records of patients undergoing cytoreduction and HIPEC for peritoneal surface malignancy were reviewed at two institutions. Postoperative hyperglycemia was defined as serum glucose >140 mg/dl at the first measurement after surgery. Lengths of stay and 30-day complication rates were recorded. Results: There were 115 total patients included, 65 from Institution A (A) and 50 from Institution B (B). Perioperative steroids were given to 55% (A) and 100% (B) of patients, with postoperative hyperglycemia present in 39% and 86% of patients respectively. Complication rates were not significantly different in patients with hyperglycemia versus patients who were normoglycemic at each site [56% vs. 53%, p = 0.8 at (A); 47% vs. 43%, p = 1.0 at (B)]. Infection rates were also similar between groups [16% vs. 13%, p = 0.72 at (A); 14% vs. 29%, p = 0.31 at (B)]. Conclusions: Rates of hyperglycemia in patients undergoing cytoreduction and HIPEC are high. This likely represents a stress response but does not seem to have the same adverse impact as seen in other abdominal surgical patient populations.