[Changes in water balance and its correction in patients with stomach cancer]

Blood volume and its components as well as total, extra- and intracellular fluid were measured in 58 gastric cancer patients (including those with concomitant pathology) on admission, preoperatively and in postoperative period. The parameters were compared with those of 17 healthy controls. On admission, water imbalance was relatively more pronounced in cancer patients with concomitant pyloric stenosis. Correction was effected by preoperative infusions of 10.9 l of liquid in uncomplicated cancer for 9.8 days +/- 2.1 and 25.5 l in cases of concomitant pyloric stenosis for 12.1 days +/- 2.4. As a result of these infusions and drug treatment carried out in preoperative period and during the first five postoperative days, water metabolism returned to normal and postoperative clinical course improved.