Surgical Outcomes for Diabetics Found Excellent

In a finding that contradicts prior studies, a new 10-year study has shown a very low mortality rate among diabetes patients undergoing major vascular operations. The findings were reported in the April 2002 issue of the Archives of Surgery.

Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC, Boston, MA, USA) reviewed the cases of more than 6,500 major vascular procedures performed between January 1990 and May 31, 2000. These procedures included carotid endarterectomy, aortic reconstruction and treatment of aneurysms, and lower-extremity revascularization. The results showed a mortality rate of only 1%. In addition to diabetes, the researchers evaluated the risk posed by hypertension, coronary artery disease, renal failure, and smoking. These results revealed that diabetes alone did not pose an added risk for patients.

"This study is exciting both for the low overall mortality rate that was shown, as well as for the fact that diabetes mellitus was not found to be an independent predictor of morbidity or mortality during hospitalization for surgery,” said Allen D. Hamdan, M.D., of BIDMC's department of vascular surgery.




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