Assessment of Postoperative Complications in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery
1Dr Zubair Ahmad, 2Dr Fida Hussain, 3Dr Muhammad Salman Khan, 4Sohail Hameed,5Dr Shakeel Ahmed, 6Faiza Maqsood
Submission: 25 January 2026 | Acceptance: 20 February 2026 | Publication: 12 March 2026,
1Consultant Surgeon Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital D.G.Khan
2Chief Surgeon Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital D.G.Khan
3Senior Registrar, Ibn-e-Siena Hospital Multan
4Assistant Professor, General Surgery
Shahida Islam Medical and Dental College, Lodhran
5Assistant professor, Surgery department Karachi Medical and Dental college,karachi
6UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT:
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic illness that is associated with a high incidence of postoperative complications after abdominal surgery. Patients with diabetes frequently experience delayed healing of wounds, increased infection, and longer hospitalizations affecting surgical outcome, as well as increased health care burden.
Objective: To determine the epidemiology of postoperative complications in diabetic patients following abdominal surgery, with a focus on both the incidence and types of these complications and associated risk factors affecting surgical outcomes.
Method: This was an observational study conducted in Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital D.G.Khan, with 90 diabetic patients undergoing different abdominal surgeries. The period of investigation ranged from August 2024 to April 2025. A comprehensive clinical including: demographics, type, duration of diabetes, glycemic control status, and postoperative data were obtained and analyzed. Complications like SSI, delayed wound healing, sepsis and duration of hospital stay was kept on follow-up of the patient.
Results: Of the 90 diabetic patients, 52 (57.8%) developed post-operative complications. Surgical site infection occurred in 28 (31.1%) patients, delayed wound healing in 15 (16.7%) patients, while 9 (10%) patients developed post-operative sepsis. It was observed that poor preoperative glycemic control (HbA1c > 7.5%) was strongly related to a higher complication rate (p < 0.05). Furthermore, longer diabetes duration and patients who underwent emergent surgeries were at higher risk. The mean hospitalization time was markedly longer in patients with complications (10.4 ± 3.2 days) than in those with no complications (6.1 ± 1.9 days).
Conclusion: Diabetic patients who are undergoing abdominal surgery manifest increased postoperative morbidity, and suboptimal glycemic control is a significant contributing factor. Optimal preoperative diabetes control and strict perioperative monitoring may decrease the incidence of complications and increase the surgical success in this high-risk population.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, abdominal surgery, postoperative complications, surgical site infection, glycemic control, wound healing, sepsis.