Physiological cortisol substitution of long-term steroid-treated patients undergoing major surgery

In 22 patients undergoing elective surgery, adrenal function was assessed before and on the day of surgery. Patients receiving corticosteroid therapy but with a normal cortisol response to a corticotropin stimulation test (group II, n = 8) were not given hydrocortisone on the day of operation. Their cortisol concentration increased in a manner similar to patients (group I, n = 8) who had never had corticosteroid treatment. The plasma cortisol concentrations in these two groups were less than in subjects (group III), n = 6) with an impaired cortisol response to corticotropin stimulation, who were given hydrocortisone 25 mg at the induction of anaesthesia followed by a continuous infusion of hydrocortisone 100 mg during the next 24 h. There were no clinical signs of circulatory insufficiency in any group. The low-dose hydrocortisone therapy regimen is sufficient for substitution of adrenal function during surgery and in the early postoperative phase. It could lead to mild oversubstitution in patients with impaired adrenal insufficiency undergoing major surgery.