Korean J Anesthesiol.  1973 Dec;6(2):241-246.

Blood Sugar during Intraoperative Fluid Therapy with 5 Percent Dextrose in 1/3 Saline

• Cheun JK
• Jung JG

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to explain body fluid redistribution, electrolyte changes and harmful after effects by measuring the blood sugar level before and during intraoperative fluid therapy using 5 percent dextrose in 1/3 saline. Patients were chosen at random, regardless of patients condition, age, sex and anesthetics administered to them in various condition of N.P.O. Patient's blood was drawn on the operating table for blood sugar before intravenous fluid therapy started then a second blood sample for blood sugar was taken after one hour from the time of I.V. fluid administration using 5% dextrose in 1/3 saline which ran at 10 cc/kg body weight. In the group of the first blood sample the level of blood sugar was as low as 40~50 mg per 100 cc of blood in the patients who were on N.P.O. for more than 20 hours. In the group of the second sample taken after in,travenous fluid therapy, blood sugar ranged from 200 to 500 mg volume percent, accompanied by a massive urine output. As a result of this experiment measuring blood sugar before and after I.V. fluid therapy using 5% dextrose in 1/3 saline, there was significant change of blood sugar level depending on the infusion rate which led to body fluid redistribution, accompanied by harmful side effects to the patient. Therefore; 1.The choice of the first I.V. fluid for the surgical patient should be an electrolyte solution which MUST contain 5% dextrose. 2. When intravenous fluid ran at more than 10 cc/kg/hr. for the replacement of body fluid, substitution of a balanced salt solution without 5% dextrose for 5% dextrose in water is strongly recommended to avoid untoward side effects.

MeSH Terms

Anesthetics
Blood Glucose*
Body Fluids
Body Weight
Fluid Therapy*
Glucose*
Humans
Operating Tables
Water
Anesthetics
Blood Glucose
Glucose
Water