Intravenous aminoacids and intravenous hyperalimentation as protein-sparing therapy after major surgery. A controlled clinical trial.

A solution of aminoacids without a calorie source was infused postoperatively in ten patients undergoing proctocolectomy or rectal excision and the results were compared with those in ten matched controls and ten patients who received intravenous hyperalimentation. Aminoacid infusion prevented the nitrogen and potassium loss that occurred in the untreated group but no clinical advantage could be seen. Nitrogen and potassium loss was also prevented in the patients treated with intravenous hyperalimentation but these patients had significantly fewer postoperative complications than either the controls or those given aminoacid infusion. It is suggested that aminoacid infusion is of very little benefit after major surgery. On the other hand the skilled administration of intravenous hyperalimentation to patients after major surgery can be of real benefit.