Objective: To explore the clinical significance of insulin resistance (IR) during selective abdominal surgery. Methods: Totally 14 patients (5 men and 9 women) underwent selective abdominal surgery were enrolled. Fasting blood glucose (BG), fasting plasma insulin (INS), plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were tested on one day before operation, during operation, and 24 hours after surgery. Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), the index of insulin secretion (HOMA-β), and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated with Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). Results: BG, INS, plasma TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly different one day before surgery, during operation, and 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.001). While the level of IL-6 during operation was significantly higher than that before operation (P = 0.017), the levels of BG, INS, and TNF-α between one day before operation and during operation were not significantly different (P = 0.421, P = 0.116, and P = 0.076, respectively). The HOMA-IR levels significantly increased 24 hours after surgery compared to that before operation (P < 0.001). However, HOMA-β was not significantly different among three time points (P = 0.103). ISI was negatively correlated with the operation time (r = -0.936, P < 0.001), perioperative bleeding (r = -0.594, P = 0.032), and post-operative TNF-α (r = -0.641, P = 0.018). Conclusions: IR exists during selective abdominal operation. Shorter operation duration, milder surgery-related trauma, and less perioperative bleeding may reduce IR.