Response of plasma amino acids to elective surgical trauma

Venous plasma amino acids have been measured before, during, and after surgical operation in 17 patients. There were no statistically significant changes in plasma amino acid levels during the operation itself, but in the 3 days following operation the concentration of many of the amino acids were altered compared with the preoperative levels. Because some of the changes resemble those seen in early starvation, further studies are necessary to determine whether trauma or starvation is the prime stimulus to the changes observed.