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Intravenous ethanol for alcohol detoxification in trauma patients
P P Craft1, M B Foil, P R Cunningham
1Department of Surgery, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858.
Southern Medical Journal
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Intravenous ethanol effectively treats alcohol withdrawal in trauma patients. This method is safe and beneficial for detoxification, particularly for those with injuries like fractures and blunt abdominal trauma.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Alcohol abuse is a significant risk factor for traumatic injuries.
- Assessing alcohol levels in trauma patients is crucial for effective treatment.
- Alcohol withdrawal presents unique challenges in trauma care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous ethanol for alcohol detoxification in trauma patients.
- To determine the characteristics of trauma patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal.
- To identify contraindications for intravenous ethanol therapy in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2,219 trauma admissions between October 1988 and January 1992.
- Serum ethanol levels tested in 1,602 patients; 37 identified with alcohol withdrawal.
- Intravenous ethanol administered for detoxification, with treatment outcomes and contraindications documented.
Main Results:
- 43% of tested trauma patients had measurable serum ethanol levels.
- 37 patients received intravenous ethanol for withdrawal, averaging 4 days of therapy.
- Common injuries included long-bone fractures and blunt abdominal trauma; most patients responded favorably to treatment.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous ethanol is a safe and effective treatment for alcohol detoxification in trauma patients.
- CNS trauma, liver disease, and pancreatitis are relative contraindications.
- Early identification and treatment of alcohol withdrawal can improve outcomes in trauma care.