Microdialysis is an in vivo sampling technique which provides a powerful approach to monitoring metabolic events. We have performed a study to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of subcutaneous microdialysis in monitoring patients on the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A microdialysis probe was placed in the subcutaneous fat of the anterior abdominal wall and perfused with Ringer's solution. Collecting vials were changed every 30 minutes and monitoring continued for 2-6 days. Biochemical analysis of glucose, lactate, and glutamate was correlated with clinical events. The normal ranges of glucose, lactate and glutamate were 3-6 mM. 1-2.5 mM and 5-20 microM, respectively. Periods of low tissue glucose were detected by microdialysis which were not detected by routine plasma sampling. In one patient, following an apparently brief period of hypoxia, there was a prolonged disturbance of tissue chemistry. Another patient with obesity had significantly higher concentrations of dialysate glucose, lactate and glutamate. Monitoring by subcutaneous microdialysis on intensive care units is feasible, reveals unexpected changes in tissue metabolism and might be an important adjunct for the interpretation of intracerebral data.