OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of oral fluid resuscitation on pulmonary vascular permeability and lung water content in burn dogs during shock stage.

METHODSEighteen male Beagle dogs with catheterization of carotid artery and jugular vein for 24 hours were subjected to 50% TBSA full-thickness burn, then they were divided into non-fluid resuscitation (NR), oral fluid resuscitation (OR), intravenous fluid resuscitation (IR) groups, with 6 dogs in each group. Dogs in OR and IR groups were given glucose-electrolyte solution (GES) by gastric tube or intravenous infusion according to Parkland formula within 24 hours after burn, while those in NR group were not given any treatment. Dogs in each group were then given intravenous fluid for further resuscitation after 24 post burn hours (PBH). Deaths were recorded within 72 hours after burn. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), PaO2, extravascular lung water index (ELWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) were determined before burn and at 30 mins and 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 PBH with the aid of PICCO. Dogs were sacrificed to collect lung tissue for determination of water content at 72 PBH or just before death.

RESULTSAll dogs died during 9-22 PBH in NR group, 3 dogs died during 25-47 PBH in OR group, and all dogs survived within 72 PBH in IR groups. Compared with those before burn, RR (44.0 +/- 5.0) times/min, ELWI (10.3 +/- 0.6) mL/kg and PVPI (6.6 +/- 0.6) were markedly increased in NR group at 8 PBH, but PaO2 and MAP were obviously decreased (P < 0.05). In OR group, RR (33.0 +/- 4.0) times/min, ELWI (8.9 +/- 0.3) mL/kg and PVPI (5.7 +/- 0.4) were significantly lower than those of NR group (P < 0.05), but higher than those of IR group [RR (26.0 +/- 3.0) times/min, ELWI (8.2 +/-0.3) mL/kg, PVPI (4.2 +/- 0.4), P < 0.05] at 8 PBH. PaO2 and MAP in OR group were higher than that in NR group (P < 0.05). Lung water content showed no statistically significant difference between OR ang IR groups (P > 0.05), which were lower than that in NR group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the protective effect of oral fluid resuscitation with GES on the lung of burn dog at shock stage was inferior to intravenous fluid, it still can decrease pulmonary vascular permeability, alleviate pulmonary edema, and reduce pulmonary complication compared with no resuscitation with fluids.