Introduction:

diabetes mellitus is considered a risk factor for local complications and surgical failure in reconstructive surgeries, mainly in flaps due to the fact that it causes alterations in the cicatrization process.

Objective:

to review the available literature on the pathophysiological factors that influence the short-, medium- and long-term results in the diabetic population, the perioperative therapeutic goals associated with higher success rates, and to establish a baseline protocol for the perioperative management of these patients.

Searching methodology:

we searched the PUBMED, MEDLINE and SCIELO databases using the search terms “Period perioperative”, “Reconstructive surgical procedures”, “Surgical flaps”, “Diabetes mellitus”, obtaining a total of 160 online journal articles, of which 50 were selected.

Results:

the performance of flaps in patients with diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of failure and complications, which decrease considerably when a strict goal-directed perioperative management is performed.

Conclusions:

diabetes mellitus causes alterations in the inflammatory response, microvascular dysfunction and increases oxidative stress, which is reflected in an abnormal healing process, generating higher infection rates and graft loss, but if glycemic management goals are achieved in the perioperative period it is possible to reduce the complications and to increase the surgical success. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(1):35-43.

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