STUDIES ON SURGICAL CONVALESCENCE

Abstract

Under the classical ward regimen there was a consistent N deficit, loss of wt. and a prolonged stay in bed, confirming the preliminary results. Objective ergography also showed postoperative asthenia which had not disappeared even on the 12th postoperative day. With high calorie and high amino-acid mixtures, there was a consistent N surplus, a steady gain in wt. and a stay in bed of less than 1/2 the control series. The ergograph showed early return of endurance on the 5th to 6th postoperative day to above that of the initial reading. Such a postoperative hyperalimentation regimen has been worked out and found practical, and is recommended in the routine case of gas-trectomy. Complications in the feeding group are fewer and less severe than in the control group, but the present series is too small to justify statistically significant conclusions.[long dash]Horace Goldie.