[Effects of different glucocorticoids on blood glucose during surgery under general anesthesia]

To evaluate the effects of different glucocorticoids upon blood glucose during surgery under general anesthesia.

Thirty (ASA I/II) patients scheduled for surgery under combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups: dexamethasone group (Group D), methylprednisolone group (Group M) and normal saline group (Group S). Patients received dexamethasone, 10 mg IV (Group D), or methylprednisolone, 120 mg IV (Group M), or normal saline, 10 ml IV (Group S) at pre-induction. Arterial blood was collected preoperatively, and at 60, 120, 180 min post-injection to analyze the blood glucose.

As compared to baseline, blood glucose increased significantly in Group D at 60, 120, 180 min post-injection (P < 0.01). In Group M, blood glucose increased significantly at 180 min post-injection (P < 0.01). In Group S, blood glucose increased significantly at 60, 120, 180 min post-injection respectively (P < 0.01). Comparison among these three groups indicated that differences between Group D and Group M (P = 0.01) or Group S (P < 0.05) were significant at 120 min post-injection. The difference between Group D and Group M was significant at 180 min post-injection (P < 0.05).

The blood glucose often increases significantly during surgery under general anesthesia. Use of glucocorticoids may aggravate hyperglycemia, so that close monitoring and control are quite important. Methylprednisolone has less effect upon blood glucose than dexamethasone.