Effect of Preoperative Glycemic Management on Surgical Site Infections among Diabetic Patients

Background and Aim: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a major postoperative complication in diabetic patients, with hyperglycemia recognized as a significant risk factor. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative glycemic control on postoperative wound infections in diabetic patients. Methods: A hospital-based prospective study was conducted over one year in a tertiary care hospital, enrolling 184 diabetic patients undergoing general surgery. Preoperative fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels were recorded, and patients were followed postoperatively for wound infections and other complications. Patients were categorized based on glycemic control as good, fair, or poor. Data were analyzed to assess the association between glycemic status and postoperative outcomes. Results: The study included predominantly female patients (67.4%) with the most common age group being 51– 60 years (26.1%). Overall, 50% of patients developed SSI, with the highest incidence in the poor glycemic control group (67.6%). Postoperative blood glucose levels on days 1, 3, and 7 were significantly higher in patients with SSI (p < 0.05). Other complications, including delayed wound healing and urinary tract infections, were also more frequent in patients with suboptimal glycemic control. Conclusion: Poor preoperative glycemic control is associated with higher rates of surgical site infections and postoperative complications in diabetic patients. Optimizing blood glucose before surgery may reduce morbidity and improve outcomes