Diabetes and hyperglycemia are important risk factors which may result in adverse surgical outcomes. With the development of enhanced recovery after surgery, management of perioperative glucose level becomes the common goal of both anesthesiologists and surgeons. This review illustrated the limitations of the perioperative application of traditional glucose monitoring indicators, such as glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and blood glucose. It introduced the definition and clinical application of emerging glucose monitoring indicators, including fructosamine (FA), glycosylated albumin (GA), and 1, 5‑anhydroglucitol (1, 5‑AG), discussed the role of emerging blood glucose monitoring indicators in identifying high‑risk patients and improving preoperative optimization, and evaluated its value in reducing the incidence of postoperative complications. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and endocrinologists should strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation, promote the continuous deepening of research on emerging blood glucose monitoring indicators, and contribute to improving perioperative management of patients.