Rate of water and sodium absorption from the jejunum after abdominal surgery in man

Five patients were given intrajejunal infusions at a 10 cc per minute pumping rate before and after major intra-abdominal surgery. Net water and sodium absorption fell from a preoperative value of 2.2 cc per minute to a postoperative value of 1.2 cc per minute in a 30 cm length of jejunum immediately distal to the infusion site in the proximal jejunum. However, net absorption was not abolished and the infusions were well tolerated except for mild cramps after sixty minutes in two patients, suggesting that jejunal motility during clinical postoperative ileus is sufficient to propel large amounts of unabsorbed fluid from the infusion site to more distal intestine to prevent local distention. Intrajejunal infusions at much lower rates (2 cc per minute) were well tolerated for thirty-six continuous hours in three postoperative patients, and maintained hydration without supplemental intravenous fluids.