Monitoring parenteral nutrition intraoperatively with the dextrometer.

Patients receiving parenteral nutrition support frequently undergo operative procedures. Proper selection of patients and close monitoring of glucose levels are crucial if parenteral nutrition is to be maintained intraoperatively. The Dextrometer was used in 10 patients receiving parenteral nutrition intraoperatively. The difference between the Dextrometer readings and the serum glucose level obtained by laboratory analysis was less than 10% in 83% of cases and readings were most accurate in the 200 to 400 mg/dl range. The Dextrometer provides a simple, inexpensive, and reasonably accurate method of monitoring glucose intraoperatively as part of the optimal management of these patients.