[Thiamine prevention of the corticosteroid reaction afer surgery]

Thiamine effect on the blood 11-HOCS, hydrocortisone and corticosterone levels were studied in patients subjected to herniotomy and/or appendectomy under local anaesthesia. Intramuscular injections of thiamine in a dose of 0.12 g one day and 1.5 to 2 hours before surgery reduced the corticosteroid reaction prior to the operation (psychogenic factor effect) and at the height of the surgery (operation trauma effect). The subsequent administration of the vitamin averted a decrease in the blood corticosteroid level within the postoperative period. Positive results of experimental and clinical studies allow recommending thiamine as an effective remedy for adrenal gland protection from functional exhaustion at surgical stress.