Update on Perioperative Medication Management for the Hand Surgeon: A Focus on Diabetes, Weight Loss, Rheumatologic, and Antithrombotic Medications

Diabetes mellitus and obesity are growing health concerns. New pharmacologic interventions have recently begun to play a more notable role in the treatment pathway of these separate but related conditions. In particular, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutides (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, such as dapagliflozin (Farxiga) and empagliflozin (Jardiance), have emerged as treatment options. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated their efficacy in regulating metabolism, improving glycemic control, and managing long-term weight reduction. However, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have also been associated with gastrointestinal side effects, including delayed gastric emptying as well as regurgitation and aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation, and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors have been associated with severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Therefore, discontinuation of these medications before surgery is imperative. Given the popularity of these medications among the general public, it is essential for hand surgeons, to understand how to appropriately manage them perioperatively. The objective of this article was to review these new diabetes mellitus and weight loss medications, including their mechanisms of action, indications for use, and perioperative management guidelines. Additionally, we will take this opportunity to review perioperative guidelines for other common medications relevant to patients undergoing procedures involving the hand and upper extremity such as antithrombotic medications and rheumatoid arthritis-related immunosuppressive medications. Finally, we will describe how the electronic medical record system can be used to optimize perioperative medication management in this population.