[Comparative study of 3 synthetic amino acid solutions: Azonutril 25, Totamine Concentré Glucidic and Vamine in digestive postoperative intensive care. Apropos of 120 patients].

In order to compare the assimilation of the three most widely used amino acid solutions: Azonutril 25 (R), Totamine concentré glucidique (Carbohydrate concentrated Totamine) and Vamine (R), a study was undertaken of daily and cumulative nitrogen balances during the first five postoperative days in 120 patients after digestive surgery, divided into three groups and receiving parenteral alimentation only. The three groups were identical in terms of age, weight and sex, as well as the type of surgery performed. Daily calorie and nitrogen intake was identical in the three series. Daily nitrogen balance was calculated using the approximation method described by Apfelbaum based upon urinary urea excretion and by estimation of digestive nitrogen losses. Daily nitrogen balance showed a significant difference on D4 between the Azonutril (R) series (+ 1.8 g +/- 2.9) and the Totamine (R) (+ 3.3 g +/- 2.2) and Vamine (+ 3.1 g +/- 3.3 g) groups, On D5, the difference was statistically very significant between the Azonutril (R) group (+ 1.1 g +/- 3.3) and the Totamine (R) (+ 2.9 g +/- 2.7) and Vamine (R) (+ 3 g +/- 2.6) groups. Study of cumulative balances for four then five days confirmed statistically the better assimilation of Totamine (R) and of Vamine (R) which in the opinion of the authors are better balanced from a quantitative standpoint.