title: [Indirect calorimetry and nitrogen balance in patients with elective craniotomy].
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess resting energy expenditure and nitrogen excretion in patients with cranial injury. In 25 patients subjected to elective craniotomy and 23 healthy volunteers, energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry and compared with estimations according to Harris-Benedict equations. During the second postoperative day, measured energy expenditure in patients was 100 +/- 19% (range 66-185) of estimation and 115 +/- 22% (range 76-159%) of measured values in control subjects. In sedated patients with flaccid muscular paralysis, measured energy expenditure was 82 +/- 12% of estimation and 94 +/- 15% of measured values in control subjects. Urinary urea nitrogen excretion in patients was 10.2 +/- 5.4 g/day and catabolic index was 6.8 +/- 5.1. Patients receiving corticoids had increased urinary urea nitrogen excretion and no differences in measured energy expenditure, compared to patients not receiving this medication. It is concluded that the great variability in measured energy expenditure and its lack of correlation with the degree of catabolism, set forth the need to perform an indirect calorimetry in these patients to plan an adequate nutritional support.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Charlin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brinck
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002151:Calorimetry / Q000379:methods; D003399:Craniotomy; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012886:Skull / Q000293:injuries
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen
vernacular_title: Calorimetría indirecta y balance nitrogenado en pacientes con craneotomía electiva.