[Postoperative infusion therapy: electrolyte solution in comparison with hypocaloric glucose and carbohydrate exchange-amino acid solutions].

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of early postoperative hypocaloric nutrition with glucose or xylitol/sorbitol- amino acid solutions versus saline alone. Influence on substrate, especially protein metabolism. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of an university 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 functional proteins and N-balance. During saline infusion protein parameters deteriorated significantly already after 24 to 36 hours. Glucose was not inferior to the xylitol/sorbitol solution and both resulted in a stable metabolic state during four days. CONCLUSIONS: After major trauma or surgery hypocaloric nutrition should be started within 24 hours and can be given already directly after the operation period without metabolic deterioration.