STUDIES IN THE POST TRAUMATIC PATIENT. SODIUM BALANCE STUDIES FOLLOWING THERMAL INJURY.
Abstract
Long term sodium balance studies were carried out following burning injury of varying extent and depth in adults and children. The methods used are described in detail. The sodium load is comparable for any extent of burn independent of the age of the patient. Urinary sodium excretion in the early phase varies from patient to patient, those with similar injury showing marked differences in the duration and intensity of the sodium retention. The sodium lost in the exudate over this period does not appear to have any influence on the urinary loss. In some patients, there is a close correlation between urine volume and sodium output, while in others there is complete dissociation. Thus urine volume gives no indication as to the amount of sodium being excreted. The loss of sodium in the exudate during this early period was large in every instance, and may exceed the urinary loss. Throughout the whole period of study, the sodium content of the exudate reflects accurately the state of the burn wound, rising as the slough separates and falling as skin cover is achieved. Unless exudate losses are included throughout such studies, a completely false picture of the sodium balance is obtained. The differences between adults and children were found to be of a minor nature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0603191
Entities
People
- A. D. R. Batchelor
- Anne B. Sutherland
Organizations
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children