title: The utilisation of peripherally-administered intravenous nutrient solutions.
abstract: The utilisation of three peripherally-administered intravenous nutritional regimens has been evaluated in 42 patients on the first four days following surgery for colorectal cancer. A standard dextrose-saline (DS) regimen (n = 16) has been compared with an amino-acid (AA) regimen (n = 12) and a regimen consisting of glucose, amino-acid and fat (GAF) (n = 14). Fat and carbohydrate oxidation was calculated pre- and post-operatively using indirect calorimetry. Patients receiving AA showed a fall in carbohydrate oxidation (p < 0.01) and a rise in fat oxidation (p < 0.05) post-operatively, whereas no significant changes in fat and carbohydrate oxidation occurred in the DS and GAF groups. Cumulative nitrogen balance (NB) for the first four post-operative days was significantly better (p < 0.01) in the AA group (-10.3 +/- 3.8 g; mean +/- s.e.m.) than in the DS group (-25.3 +/- 3.1 g), due to an improved NB in the AA group on the first and second days only. Cumulative NB in the GAF group (+7.7 +/- 2.3 g) was significantly better (p < 0.01) than in the other two groups. Where the provision of peripheral intravenous nutritional support is desired, the use of a combination of glucose, amino-acid and fat is recommended.
authors.affiliation: University Departments of Surgery and Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER. U.K.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Hansell
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shenkin
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Garden
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Burns