Impact of Different Crystalloids on the Blood Glucose Levels of Nondiabetic Patients Undergoing Major Elective Surgeries

Background This study aimed to compare intraoperative blood sugar level fluctuations between a group of patients receiving Ringer's lactate (RL) fluid as maintenance fluid and another group receiving 0.45% dextrose normal saline with 20 mmol/liter potassium. Materials and methods This randomized double-blind study was conducted on 68 nondiabetic patients undergoing elective major surgeries at R. Laxminarayanappa Jalappa Hospital, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, during the academic year from Jan 2021 to May 2022. Informed consent was obtained from these patients concerning their participation in this study. There were two groups of patients: Ringer lactate (RL) was administered to group A, and 0.45% dextrose normal saline and 20 mmol/L potassium chloride (KCl) were administered to group B. The vitals and blood glucose levels were measured among the patients. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically important. Results The mean age of the patients was found to be 43.60 ± 15 years, with comparable age and gender distribution between the groups. On comparison of the mean blood glucose levels immediately after induction was not important between the groups. The mean levels were comparable between the groups (p>0.05). After completion of the surgery, the mean blood glucose level significantly increased in group B patients when compared to those in group A (p<0.05). Conclusion The study found a substantial increase in intraoperative blood glucose levels among patients receiving 0.45% dextrose normal saline with 20 mmol/liter potassium instead of RL solution as maintenance fluid.