Epidural anesthesia has been found to manipulate the hyperglycemic response to surgery. It is unclear, however, whether the preoperative metabolic status of the surgical patient plays a role in the degree of this hyperglycemic response. For instance, the presence of low insulin sensitivity before surgery could predispose the individual to an altered metabolic response after surgery. In this case, it would be appropriate to identify adequate interventions that attenuate the response to surgical stress and facilitate the recovery process.