An 86-year-old man had a right hemicolectomy for a caecal carcinoma 2 days previously. Preoperatively, he was on antihypertensive medication, which has not been restarted. During the day, his urine output had been poor, with a total of 75 mL produced over the past 8 h. He has taken very little fluid orally during the day. His epidural was removed earlier that afternoon and he has been started on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief. Examination He is alert and orientated in time, place and person.
He is afebrile, blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg and pulse 110/min. His chest is clear and heart sounds are normal. His abdomen is tender around the incision, but otherwise soft and non-tender. He has normal bowel sounds and has opened his bowels since the operation. Investigation He had postoperative blood tests on day 1 which were normal. No blood tests were available…
