The relationship of aldosterone excretion to the metabolic response to adrenalectomy

Abstract

1. 1. Observations have been made on the balance of sodium, potassium, chloride and nitrogen, and the urinary excretion of corticosteroids and aldosterone in three patients undergoing, respectively, 1st stage adrenalectomy, 2nd stage adrenalectomy and ovariectomy after previous bilateral adrenalectomy. 2. 2. Post-operative metabolic changes of sodium and chloride retention with urinary loss of potassium and nitrogen occurred. In the patient subjected to 1st stage adrenalectomy, the metabolic response was accompanied by rises in the urinary excretion of aldosterone and total corticosteroids. In the patient undergoing 2nd-stage adrenalectomy and in the patient undergoing ovariectomy, the metabolic response was not associated with any rise in urinary corticosteroids, and urinary aldosterone was not detectable post-operatively. 3. 3. It is concluded that the metabolic responses ordinarily observed affecting sodium, potassium and nitrogen excretion after surgery can occur without concomitant rises in excretion of aldosterone.