Der Anaesthesist
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Two groups of 16 patients each were studied during abdomino-surgical procedures. Patients of one group received an isotonic glucose solution to cover insensible water losses from the peritoneal cavity whilst patients of the other group were not treated with glucose. In these we found a significant increase in plasma osmolality and in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of the red cells during anaesthesia and operation. ⋯ Urin-to-plasma ratio of osmolality was equal in both groups in spite of a different water balance. Patients receiving glucose had higher urine outputs and therefore (with equal osmolar U/P ratio) a higher osmolar clearance and a higher free-water-reabsorption. It is demonstrated that under conditions as described the amount of free-water reabsorption and concomitantly a favourable effect on water balance during mild dehydration is mainly depending on osmolar clearance.