[Postoperative parenteral nutrition following segmental liver resection--are fat emulsions a risk?]

Thirty-two patients with segmental liver resection were fed 3 different parenteral infusion programs postoperatively. These differed in carbohydrate and lipid content, with the latter representing up to 40% of the total caloric content. Laboratory parameters, including nitrogen balance, acute phase proteins and liver function tests, were found to have a postoperative course similar to that seen following other major abdominal procedures. A transient rise of bilirubin observed may be related to the temporary decrease in the excretory function of the liver. The rise in acute phase proteins, beginning a few days postoperatively, was attributed to the ability of the remaining liver parenchyma to synthesize protein. There was no significant difference observed between the 3 parenteral solutions. Finally, we conclude that in the early postoperative period lipid solutions can be used as an important source of energy.