[Use of a new solution of synthetic amino acids in postoperative surgical intensive care. Evaluation of the value of nitrogen intake started in the immediate preoperative period].

A new synthetic amino acid solution, Totamine, was studied in pre- and postoperative surgical intensive care in order to determine the possible value of beginning high protein intake during the preoperative period. A comparison was made between two groups of 11 and 15 patients respectively, divided on a strictly random basis, receiving 1200 calories and 12.4 g of nitrogen per day in the forme of Totamine carbohydrate concentrate, starting two days before operation in one of them and on the day of surgery in the other. No statistically significant difference was seen. Calorific and nitrogen intake in both cases appeared to be satisfactory during the early preoperative period and both local and general tolerance of the amino acid solution was excellent. During the late postoperative period, there was a tendency to negativisation of nitrogen balance which justified an increase in calorific and nitrogen intake.