[Postoperative energy requirements following large abdominal surgery interventions: comparison of measuring by indirect calorimetry with estimated values].

Energy requirement after major abdominal operations, as calculated according to the formula for basic energy expenditure by Harris-Benedict, was increased by 30% in the early and by 50% in the late postoperative period. Correlation of these calculated values to measurements by indirect calorimetry was good. Even more simply a good estimation of caloric requirements can be obtained by multiplication of the body weight with a factor 30. The development of septic complications does not increase considerably postoperative energy expenditure, however, the correlation between measured and estimated values becomes poor. As supposed from isotope studies measuring gas exchange for indirect calorimetry for one hour provides sufficiently stable results.