AIM: To investigate the effects of short-term application of low-dose growth hormone on trace element metabolism and blood glucose in surgical patientsMETHODS: A total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal operations were randomized to receive either subcutaneous rhGH (0.15 IU/kg) or placebo (menstruum) injections daily for 7 d after surgery. The two groups had similar nutrition intake.Blood, feces, urine and drain samples were collected to measure zincum, cuprum and ferrum as well as glucose levels. Accumulative intake, excretion and balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, apparent absorption (AA)and apparent utilization (AU) of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, blood glucose levels and adverse events were estimated.RESULTS: There were no differences in accumulative intake and drain excretion between the two groups.The feces excretion and accumulative excretion of cuprum were lower in the rhGH group (P ＜ 0.05). The urinary excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all significantly decreased in the rhGH group (P ＜ 0.05)and the accumulative balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was improved compared with the placebo group (P ＜ 0.05). AA of cuprum in the rhGH group was almost twice as much as the placebo group (P ＜ 0.05), and AU of zincum, cuprum and ferrum was all improved in the rhGH group (P ＜ 0.05). The mean blood glucose level was significantly higher in the rhGH group than in the placebo group from d 3 to d 6 after operation (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Postoperative low-dose rhGH treatment improves the retention of zincum, cuprum and ferrum and decreases the excretion of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, improves the balance of zincum, cuprum and ferrum, and promotes the AA and AU of zincum,cuprum and ferrum. rhGH can be well tolerated without significant adverse effects and the blood glucose level can be well controlled.