Perioperative Glycemia Management in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Resection: A Global Survey of Neuroanesthesiologists’ Perceptions and Practices

Abstract

There is a paucity of clinical evidence that guides perioperative glycemia management in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor resection. The purpose of this study was to better understand global perceptions and practices related to glycemia management in these patients. Neuroanesthesiologists throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia filled out a brief online questionnaire related to their perceptions and practices regarding glycemia management in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor resection. Over 4 weeks, 435 participants practicing in 34 countries across 6 continents participated in this survey. Although responders in North America were found to perceive a higher risk hyperglycemia compared with those practicing in European (P= 0.024) and South Asian (P= 0.007) countries, responders practicing in South Asian countries (P= 0.030), Middle Eastern countries (P= 0.029), and South American (P= 0.005) countries were more likely than those from North America to remeasure glucose after an initial normal glucose measurement at incision. Responders from North America reported that a higher blood glucose threshold was necessary for them to delay or cancel the surgerycompared with responders in Slavic (P < 0.001), European (P= 0.002), South American (P= 0.002), and Asian and Pacific (P < 0.001) countries. Responders from North America were more likely to report that they would delay or cancel the surgery because of a higher blood glucose threshold. Our survey results suggest that perceptions and practices related to blood glucose management in patients undergoing brain tumor resection are variable. This study highlights the need for stronger clinical evidence and guidelines to help guide decisions for when and how to manage blood glucose derangements in these patients.