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Published on: May 21, 2019
Resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock using rectally administered fluids in a wilderness environment
Michael P W Grocott1, Stuart McCorkell, Mark L Cox
1Centre for Aviation Space and Extreme Environment Medicine. University College London, Room 103, 1st Floor Crosspiece, Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London, W1A 3AA, UK. mike.grocott@ucl.ac.uk
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine
|December 22, 2005
Summary
Rectally administered oral rehydration fluid effectively resuscitated a shock patient in a wilderness setting. This method proved successful for a Nepali man with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Wilderness Medicine
Background:
- Major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage can lead to hypovolemic shock.
- Resuscitation in wilderness environments presents unique challenges due to limited resources.
- Standard intravenous fluid resuscitation may not be feasible in remote settings.
Observation:
- A 21-year-old Nepali man presented with shock following significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Oral rehydration fluid was administered rectally due to the wilderness environment.
- The patient's condition improved following the intervention.
Findings:
- Rectal administration of oral rehydration fluid was successful in resuscitating a patient in shock.
- This method provided a viable alternative to intravenous fluids in a resource-limited wilderness setting.
- The intervention led to the stabilization of the patient's hemodynamic status.
Implications:
- Rectal fluid administration may be a valuable resuscitation technique in austere environments.
- This approach could improve patient outcomes in remote medical emergencies.
- Further research is warranted to establish optimal protocols for rectal fluid resuscitation.
