Influence of enteral nutrition on the frequency of complications in case of major burns.
The objective of the study was to assess if enteral nutrition reduces the rate of severe complications and complication-related mortality in case of major burns.


METHODS
Two groups were included in the study. Group A was assessed prospectively and included 67 patients treated in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in 2000-2003. These patients received 30-40 kcal/kg/day in enteral way over the period of wound surgery. Group A was compared with Group B, which was assessed retrospectively and included 71 patients without enteral nutrition treated in 1997-1998. Groups were homogeneous by patients' age; extent of general and deep burn area; Baux and Burn indexes.


RESULTS
10 patients (15%) in Group A had pneumonia, 3 (30%) of them died; 11 (16%) had lung edema, 3 (27%) of them died; 24 (36%) had sepsis, 3 (12.5%) of them died; renal insufficiency was diagnosed to 4 patients (6%) in Group A, 2 (50%) of them died. In Group B (without enteral nutrition) pneumonia was diagnosed to 27 patients (38%) of 71, 18 (63%) of them died; lung edema--to 20 (28%), 18 (90%) of them died, 19 patients (27%) had sepsis, 12 (63%) of them died; renal insufficiency was diagnosed to 10 patients (14%), all of them (100%) died.


CONCLUSIONS
Enteral nutrition statistically significantly diminished frequency of pneumonia and lung edema for burned patients. Pneumonia, lung edema, sepsis and renal insufficiency were less hazardous for life of patients with enteral nutrition (p<0.05).
Gudaviciene
Daiva
D
Division of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Eiveniu 2, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. daikle@centras.lt
Rimdeika
Rytis
R
Adamonis
Kestutis
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome