[Metabolic behavior in total parenteral nutrition during the postoperative phase]

In patients who had undergone gastric operation, total postoperative parenteral nutrition was effected using a combination of two infusion solutions having complementary constituents. 80 g L-amino acids and about 2,500 kcal in the form of a glucose-levulose-xylitol mixture together with electrolytes and trace elements were infused daily. Metabolic parameters, serum levels and the concentrations of the most important administered substances excreted in the urine were determined every day at the same time. The 1:1:1 glucose-levulose-xylitol ratio of the caloric carrier proved to be a favourable combination with respect to metabolic behaviour and the necessary daily supply of calories. The basic electrolyte requirement of the patients was to a large extent met by the quantities contained in the solutions.