SELENIUM IN SERUM AND WHOLE-BLOOD IN PATIENTS WITH SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS

Selenium values of serum and whole blood were determined for two group s of patients undergoing large surgical interventions (e.g., gastrecto my) and receiving a total parenteral nutrition (TPN). All patients sho wed low selenium values at the beginning of TPN. The first group recei ved a supplementation of selenium, and it was established that seleniu m levels normalized after 6-7 d. The balances of selenium turned out t o be positive in all cases. The second group, which was not administer ed selenium supplementation, showed significantly lower values of sele nium. It can, therefore, be concluded that a substitution of selenium prior to large surgical interventions following TPN clearly helps pati ents combat the increase in the oxidant stress reactions.