Preoperative and postoperative therapeutic use of dextrose (glucose)

Abstract

1. 1. The preoperative and postoperative administration of dextrose ( d glucose) is now regarded as of great importance in the general care of the surgical patient. Intravenously injected dextrose will frequently convert the bad surgical risk into a comparatively safe surgical venture. 2. 2. Administered preoperatively by mouth or by vein as necessity may require it acts as a preventive of postanesthetic nausea, vomiting and acidosis. 3. 3. Routine postoperative intravenous injection of hypertonic dextrose solution is recommended in the prevention of vomiting, acidosis and shock, intestinal atony, etc. 4. 4. Dextrose solution injected intravenously is effective supportive treatment for traumatic shock, peritonitis and the toxemia of intestinal obstruction. 5. 5. Modes of administration, dosage and indications for dextrose therapy are discussed in this paper. 6. 6. The assertion is again made that unfavorable reactions from intravenous injections of dextrose are avoidable if certain technical but simple essentials are understood and observed by the operator.