POSTOPERATIVE INFUSION THERAPY - A COMPAR ISON OF ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION WITH HYPOCALORIC GLUCOSE OR XYLITOL SORBITOL-AMINO-ACID SOLUTIONS/

Objectives: Comparison of early postoperative hypocaloric nutrition wi th glucose or xylitol/sorbitol- aminoacid solutions versus saline alon e. Influence on substrate, especially protein metabolism. Design: Pros pective randomized study. Setting: Intensive care unit of an universit y hospital. Patients: 44 patients in three groups after major surgery with necessity of intensive care. Results: Hypocaloric infusions were well tolerated immediately after operation and positively influenced f unctional proteins and N-balance. During saline infusion protein param eters deteriorated significantly already after 24 to 36 hours. Glucose was not inferior to the xylitol/sorbitol solution and both resulted i n a stable metabolic state during four days. Conclusions: After major trauma or surgery hypocaloric nutrition should be started within 24 ho urs and can be Liven already directly after the operation period witho ut metabolic deterioration.