Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Osmotic Minipump Implantation for Increasing Glucose Concentration in Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid
Published on: April 7, 2023
[A comparison of post-surgical plasma glucose levels in patients on fluids with different glucose concentrations]
Isabel Martínez Carapeto1, José Domingo López Castilla1, Reyes Fresneda Gutiérrez1
1Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias Pediátricas, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España.
Insights
Post-operative general surgery patients receiving 3.3% glucose fluids showed similar plasma glucose levels and hyperglycaemia incidence compared to those on 5% glucose fluids. This study highlights comparable glycemic control with lower glucose concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- General Surgery
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Post-operative fluid management is critical in pediatric surgery.
- Maintaining optimal glycemic control is essential for patient recovery.
- Different glucose concentrations in intravenous fluids may impact post-operative glucose levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasma glucose levels and hyperglycaemia incidence in pediatric patients after general surgery.
- To evaluate the effect of intravenous fluids with 3.3% versus 5% glucose on post-operative glycemic control.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving pediatric patients (6 months to 14 years) undergoing elective surgery.
- Patients received maintenance intravenous fluids with either 3.3% or 5% glucose.
- Plasma glucose levels were measured at multiple time points post-operatively, and hyperglycaemia (glucose >150mg/dL) incidence was compared.
Main Results:
- Mean glucose levels were slightly higher in the 5% glucose group, but without statistical significance.
- No significant difference in the incidence of hyperglycaemia was observed between the 3.3% and 5% glucose groups at 8, 24, and 48 hours post-surgery.
- Hyperglycaemia incidence rates were comparable: 8h (26% vs 21.3%), 24h (20% vs 22.7%), and 48h (19% vs 23.1%).
Conclusions:
- Intravenous fluids with 3.3% glucose are effective in maintaining post-operative plasma glucose levels comparable to 5% glucose fluids in pediatric general surgery patients.
- There is no significant difference in the incidence of hyperglycaemia when using 3.3% versus 5% glucose fluids.
- Lower glucose concentration fluids may be a viable option for post-operative glycemic management.
Objective:
To compare plasma glucose levels and incidence of hyperglycaemia in the post-operative period after general surgery using fluids with different glucose.
Methodology:
A randomised, open-label, non-blind, clinical trial was conducted on patients admitted to Paediatric Intensive Care Unit after elective surgery. The inclusion criteria were from 6 months to 14 years of age, with a weight greater than 6kg, onset glucose level >60mg/dL, and a signed informed consent, with no oral intake and maintenance intravenous fluid therapy using fluids with 3.3% or 5% glucose. Plasma glucose levels were measured before surgery, on admission, and 8, 24, and 48h, with the mean glucose levels and incidence of hyperglycaemia (glucose level >150mg/dL) in both groups being compared.
Results:
A total of 60 patients received glucose/saline 1/3 (51mEq/L sodium and 33g/L glucose), and 70 glucose/saline 5/0.9% (154mEq/L sodium and 50g/L glucose). Mean glucose levels were higher in the group receiving glucose 5%, with no statistical difference. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hyperglycaemia; 8h: 26% in the 3.3% group vs. 21.3% in the 5% group (P=.63); 24h: 20% vs. 22.7% (P=.8); and 48h: 19% vs. 23.1% (P=.78).
Conclusions:
The use of fluids with 3.3% glucose in the post-operative period of general surgery maintains mean glucose levels in a similar range to that of patients receiving fluids with 5% glucose, with no difference in the incidence of hyperglycaemia.
