[A study of the carbohydrate and electrolyte balance of 10 surgical patients during 7-days' infusion therapy (author's transl)].

For postoperative parenteral feeding fructose proved preferable to glucose and xylitol. Although the infusions were started pre-operatively sodium deficiency and a fall in serum osmolarity developed during the postoperative stage. Administration of potassium to normalize lowered serum potassium levels was needed only on the first and second postoperative day. Serum calcium levels fell during the 7-days' period of observation but remained within the limits of normal. If parenteral feeding is to be continued for longer periods determination of the phosphorus balance is advisable to avoid excessive depletion of the endogenous phosphorus stores. Estimations of urinary osmolarity and urine volume indicated that fluid uptake was adequate.