Traumatic rhabdomyolysis from severe beating--experience of volume diuresis in 200 patients

Fluid loading with balanced salt solution (BSS) was carried out in 200 patients with extensive soft tissue injuries from severe beatings. Urinary volume and dipstick specific gravity testing were used to monitor renal function with administration of furosemide for persistent oliguria. Acute intrinsic renal failure (AIRF) occurred in 21 patients (10.5%) and five patients died (2.5%); two of hyperkalemia, two of sepsis and one of multiple organ failure. Significantly increased rates of AIRF and death were associated with injury-admission intervals of more than 12 hours, severe metabolic acidosis, low initial hemoglobin, heavy pigmenturia, and high serum creatine kinase (CK) levels. An increased serum creatinine/BUN ratio was noted in four of the five patients who died. An average of 7.5 L fluids was needed in non-AIRF patients to achieve adequate diuresis with a mean positive fluid balance of 4.7 L. No patient without pigmenturia developed AIRF. Balanced salt solution volume diuresis supplemented with furosemide as necessary appears to be safe and effective in preventing AIRF in soft tissue injuries sustained in beatings.