Effects of Exogenous Growth Hormone in Postoperative Immune Function and Other Clinical Outcomes

The use of human growth hormone (hGH) in humans as a means of inducing nitrogen storage is attractive to the surgeon, since he or she is continually confronted with patients who could regain their health if only a means were found to heal their wounds and reverse their protein malnutrition. This can be done by providing an adequate intake of nitrogen and by activating an endocrine mechanism that would reverse catabolic predominance.