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Restoring nitrogen balance after burn injury
1Shriners Burns Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio 45267-0558.
Comprehensive Therapy
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Severe burn injuries cause significant weight loss and muscle wasting due to hypermetabolism. Early nutritional support and minimizing catabolism are crucial for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic response to injury
- Burn trauma pathophysiology
Background:
- Burn injury triggers a significant metabolic response, including hypermetabolism.
- This leads to detrimental effects like weight loss and protein wasting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the metabolic consequences of severe burn injuries.
- To highlight therapeutic strategies for mitigating postburn catabolism.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on burn metabolism and therapeutic interventions.
- Analysis of hormonal mediation and energy expenditure in burn patients.
Main Results:
- Metabolic rate increases with burn extent, plateauing at 50% total body surface area burn.
- Hypermetabolism is hormonally driven, exacerbating protein wasting.
Conclusions:
- Minimizing catabolism through occlusive dressings, thermal environment control, analgesia, and wound closure is vital.
- Early nutritional support is imperative to counteract severe burn-induced metabolic disturbances.