Energy expenditure after 2- to 3-hour elective surgical operations

Authors

  • Andrea Ferreira Schuwartz Tannus University of São Paulo; Medical School of Ribeirão Preto
  • Roberta Loraine Valença de Carvalho University of São Paulo; Medical School of Ribeirão Preto
  • Vivian Marques Miguel Suen University of São Paulo; Medical School of Ribeirão Preto
  • João Batista Cardoso University of São Paulo; Medical School of Ribeirão Preto
  • Nelson Okano University of São Paulo; Medical School of Ribeirão Preto
  • Júlio Sérgio Marchini University of São Paulo; Medical School of Ribeirão Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812001000200001

Keywords:

Energy expenditure, Indirect calorimetry, Elective surgery of small-to-medium scope, Dextrose solution

Abstract

Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry in 17 adult patients (8 women and 9 men) before surgery, 4 hours immediately after surgery , and 24 hours late after surgery in patients undergoing elective surgery of small-to-medium scope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The total duration of surgery ranged from 2 to 3 hours. Repeated measures were performed on the same patient, so that each patient was considered to be his/her own control. All patients received a 5% dextrose solution (2000 mL/day) throughout the postoperative period. RESULTS: Men showed a reduction in CO2 production during the immediately after surgery period (257±42 mL/min) compared to before surgery (306±48 mL/min) and late after surgery (301±45 mL/min); this reduction was not observed in women. Energy expenditure was also lower in men during immediately after surgery (6.6 kJ/min). None of the other measurements, including substrate oxidation, showed significant differences. CONCLUSION: Therefore, elective surgery itself cannot be considered an important trauma that would result in increased energy expenditure. According to this study, it is not necessary to prescribe an energy supply exceeding basal expenditure during the immediate after-surgery period. The present results suggest that the energy supply prescribed during the postoperative period after elective surgery of small-to-medium scope should not exceed 5-7 kJ/min, so the patient does not receive a carbohydrate overload from energy supplementation.

Downloads

Published

2001-04-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Energy expenditure after 2- to 3-hour elective surgical operations . (2001). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 56(2), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812001000200001