Gastrointestinal lavage reduces total body water.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to measure changes in total body water (TBW) in surgical patients after gastrointestinal lavage.


METHODS
In a prospective, controlled study we used bioelectrical impedance to calculate the change in TBW in two groups of general surgical patients in the pre-operative period: the colonic lavage group consisted of patients fasted overnight who received 3 L of gastrointestinal lavage solution (GLS; n = 30), and the control group consisted of patients fasted overnight only (n = 30). Total body water was measured before and after either lavage and fasting (lavage group) or fasting alone (control group).


RESULTS
The lavage group had a mean TBW loss of 729 mL +/- s.e. 217 and the control group a mean loss of 84 mL +/- s.e. 93 (P < 0.01 unpaired t-test).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that GLS results in a net loss of TBW. Although this fluid loss is modest, it may be important in surgical patients who have minimal cardiovascular reserve.
Buckland
G H
GH
Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Elbourne
I
I
Crowe
P J
PJ
D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012996:Solutions; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D004573:Electrolytes; D012996:Solutions; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols