The Use of Intravenous Fat Emulsions in Surgical Patients

Abstract

A fat emulsion for intravenous injection has been used in parenteral therapy of 237 surgical patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the past 8 years. All of the patients receiving the intravenous fat emulsion were considered to be in need of parenteral feedings; it was not given to volunteer subjects. Fifty of these patients each received 10 or more units of 500 ml. All patients were observed closely for an immediate reaction to the fat emulsion, such as chills or fever, and for signs of a "late reaction," such as jaundice or hemorrhage. The incidence of immediate reactions in these patients was low and no definite"late reactions" occurred. This fat emulsion seems to be a valuable nutritional adjunct in the management of surgical patients.