Effect of intravenous 3-hydroxybutyrate on postoperative nitrogen balance.

Thirty-two patients routinely admitted for cholecystectomy were allocated randomly to receive a post-operative fluid regimen containing either 18 g/d of sodium DL-3-hydroxybutyrate, or isoenergetic glucose, each for 3 d. The difference in the post-operative mean daily urinary nitrogen excretion between the control (median 8.3 g/d) and the 3-OH-butyrate groups (median 8.3 g/d) was not statistically significant, nor was there any difference when allowances were made for patient's surface area or for changes in blood urea during the course of the study.