Incidence of vomiting in burns and implications for mass burn casualty management

When faced with large numbers of burn patients and limited resources such as in war or disaster, oral fluids may be used as an alternative to intravenous resuscitation. Vomiting during the first 48 h can limit the usefulness of this method; yet its incidence has not been documented. This study aimed to identify those patients at risk of vomiting following burn injury and who therefore might be suitable for oral resuscitation. A retrospective review of case notes from burn patients between 1990 and 2001 was undertaken. Burns requiring intravenous resuscitation (>10% total body surface area (TBSA) in children, >15% TBSA in adults) were included (n=110). Documentation of vomiting during the first 48 h following burn injury to an extent that prevented commencement of feeding was regarded as significant. Patients that vomited were significantly older (28.3 years compared with 18.5 years, P=0.03), and had sustained significantly larger burns (29.8% compared with 22.9%, P=0.047). Administration of opiates and anti-emetics was similar in both groups and not significant. Although the number of patients in this study excludes a logistic regression analysis, it would seem reasonable to attempt oral resuscitation in patients under 25 years of age and with burns up to 25% TBSA given limited resources.