Water and electrolyte changes in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis subjected to major surgery

ABSTRACT

Ten patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and other ten non-bilharzial patients [controls] subjected to major surgical operations were studied as regards urine flow rate [U[v]], osmolal clearance [C[osm]], free water clearance [C[H[2]O]], creatinine clearance [C[cr]], tubular reabsorption rate for Na[+] and Cl[-], urinary excretion rate for K[+]; preoperatively, 24 hours and 5 days after operation. Schistosomal patients differed from controls in having more water, Na[+] and Cl[-] absorption and less K[+] excretion by the kidney. The significance of such renal functional changes in schistosomal patients is discussed and its application in postoperative fluid and electrolyte therapy is mentioned