Burn resuscitation: the results of the ISBI/ABA survey

There are valid concerns that burn shock resuscitation is inadequate; a tendency to over-resuscitate the patient seems to exist which may increase complications such as compartment syndrome. The purpose of this study was to survey members of the ISBI and ABA to determine current practices of burn resuscitation.

A survey asking for practices of burn shock resuscitation was provided to all participants of a recent ABA meeting. Around the same time, the survey was sent to all members of the ISBI through the internet. The results of the 101 respondents (ABA--59, ISBI--42, approximately a 15% response rate) are described.

Surveys were returned from all the continents except Africa. Respondents included directors (48%), staff physicians (19%), nurses (23%) and others. Most programs admitted adults (87%) and children (75%) with a mean of 289 admissions per year. The cut off to initiate resuscitation was 15% TBSA and most preferred peripheral IVs (70%) and central lines (47.5%). The Parkland formula was preferred (69.3%) while others were used: Brooke--6.9%, Galveston--8.9%, Warden--5.9%, and colloid 11.9%. Lactated Ringer's (LR) was the preferred solution (91.9%), followed by normal saline--5%, hypertonic saline--4%, albumin--20.8%, FFP--13.9%, and LR/NaHCO(3)--12.9%. Approximately half (49.5%) added colloid before 24h. Urine output is the major indicator of success (94.9%) while 22.7% use other monitors. Most (88.8%) feel their protocols work well, with 69.8% feel that it provides the right amount of fluid (24%--too much, 7%--too little). Despite this feeling, they still feel that they give more fluid than the formula in 55.1%, less than formula in 12.4% and the right amount in 32.6%. Approximately 1/3 use an oral resuscitation formula and 81.8% feel that an oral formula works for burns<15% TBSA.

Large variations exist in resuscitation protocols but the Parkland formula using LR is still the dominant method. Most feel that their resuscitation protocol works well.