Some effects of anaesthesia and surgery on carbohydrate and fat metabolism (Reprinted from Brit. J. Anaesth. vol 41, pg 588, 1969)

The effects of emotional stress, nitrous oxide and halothane anaesthesia, a 1-minute period of hypoxia, and surgery, on the blood sugar, plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and insulin were investigated. The emotional stress of being brought to the operating theatre and the stress of surgery seem to be more important than anaesthesia in causing a rise in blood sugar and plasma FFA. There was a corresponding fall in levels of plasma insulin. The infusion of phentolamine in two patients did not prevent the failure of insulin response to injected glucose during surgery. The clinical significance of this temporary state of glucose intolerance is discussed.