OPERATIONS ON DIABETIC PATIENTS
Special precautions necessary in operating on diabetic patients.—It is self-evident that a person with diabetes is no less likely to develop appendicitis, gallstones, or cancer than he would be without diabetes. Consequently, serious operations are occasionally necessary. The danger from such procedures is many times greater in diabetic patients than in others, unless the diabetes is closely controlled. Formerly one out of every three operations on diabetic patients terminated fatally. This was because the anesthetic, ether or chloroform, provoked acid poisoning, and because the enfeebled patient was little prepared to withstand the shock of loss of blood, and injury.The added danger of diabetes may be avoided if the patient is in good condition before he goes to operation, and if acidosis is promptly combated with insulin. It is wise for the diabetic patient to employ only a very skillful surgeon, and to make certain either that he is familiar with the treatment of diabetes, or that he has associated with him some physician who has had a considerable experience with diabetes.