Use of elemental diets to correct catabolic states prior to surgery.

An elemental diet was used to prepare 11 severely debilitated malnourished patients for operation. Indications included: 1) as a substitute for parenteral hyperalimentation when catheter sepsis occurred with the latter; 2) high small fistulae; 3) short bowel syndrome; 4) radiation enteritis; and 5) partial obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. All patients were converted to a positive nitrogen balance as evidenced by a substantial gain in weight and in serum albumin levels. All tolerated corrective operations without difficulty and their wounds healed per primum.