[An experimental study on the role of fluid replacement in the prevention of organ failure after burn injury].

44 dogs with 50% third degree burn were divided into 4 groups. Those without fluid replacement died within 12 postburn hours with complication of organ dysfunction; whereas those with immediate fluid replacement according to the Parkland formulae survived without definite organ dysfunction. But low-perfusion in the first 8-12 hours and some pathologic changes in the organs were seen. The results suggested that it is necessary to infuse fluid more rapidly in the first 2-3 hours. In group 3, most of the dogs with fluid replacement 6 hours after burn survived longer than the dogs without fluid replacement, but they were all complicated by severe organ dysfunction. This evidence that delayed inadequate resuscitation may be the primary factor affecting the development of early organ failure. In group 4, the dogs were given fluid replacement 6 hours after burn. The replacement was very rapid during the 7th and 8th hour. Both mortality and incidence of organ dysfunction in this group were decreased markedly. This result demonstrated that rapid infusion to replace loss of fluid within 2 hours was effective to treat shock and prevent progressive hypoxic organ damage.