Insulin Pumps in Surgery: A New Way for People with Type 1 Diabetes

You're having a big operation, like a thyroidectomy, and you have type 1 diabetes. You might be worried about managing your insulin levels. Well, two girls, aged 12 and 33, recently had this surgery while using an automated insulin delivery (AID) system. This isn't your typical insulin pump; it's smarter, adjusting insulin levels automatically based on your needs. Before the surgery, both girls had good control over their blood sugar levels. So, their doctors decided it was safe to keep using the AID system during the operation. This helped ensure they had stable blood sugar levels throughout, making the surgery safer and easier. One interesting thing happened: a sensor that monitors blood sugar levels stopped working properly in one case. Doctors think this might have been due to some medication or where the sensor was placed. This experience shows how important it is to have clear guidelines for using these smart insulin pumps during surgeries. The doctors who worked together on this case included experts in diabetes, anesthesia, and surgery, making sure everything went smoothly.