Effects of anesthesia, surgery, fluid resuscitation, and endotoxin administration on postburn bacterial translocation

The aim of the study reported here was to assess the effects of some clinically relevant factors on the incidence and outcome of postburn bacterial translocation. Miniature pigs in 8 groups (n = 6 in each) underwent: (1) general anesthesia (GA); (2) operation (insertion of Swan-Ganz, arterial, and portal catheters) under GA; (3) burn (40% total body surface area, third degree, under GA); (4) burn and operation; (5) burn, operation, and resuscitation (Parkland); (6) burn, operation, and resuscitation plus endotoxin (100 micrograms/kg IV bolus, 2nd day). Groups 1-6 were killed at 48 hours and tissue samples were harvested for bacteriologic culture. Groups 7 and 8 were the same as 2 and 5, respectively, but were killed at 96 hours. Resuscitation and endotoxin increased postburn bacterial translocation but only endotoxin promoted systemic sepsis. In the absence of additional trauma, translocated bacteria were cleared by 96 hours postburn.