title: The impact of opioid administration on resuscitation volumes in thermally injured patients.
abstract: Administration of resuscitation volumes far beyond the estimates established by burn-body weight resuscitation formulas has been well documented. The reasons behind this increase are not clear. We sought to determine if our resuscitation volumes had increased and, if so, what factors were related to their increase. A retrospective chart review identified 154 patients admitted with burns greater than 20% of their BSA during the years of 1975-1976 (period 1), 1990-1991 (period 2), and 2006-2007 (period 3). Charts were reviewed for total fluids (crystalloid, colloid, and blood products) and opioids given before admission, during the first 8 hours of treatment, the next 16 hours of treatment, and the following 24 hours of treatment. Opioids were converted to opioid equivalents (OE). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of variables of interest and control for confounders. Significance was assumed at the P < .05 level. Resuscitation fluid volumes increased significantly among adults from 3.97 ml/kg/%BSA during the first period to 6.40 ml/kg/%BSA during the third period (P < .01). The same trend in children <30 kg was not seen (P = .72). Fluid administered during the first 24 hours was significantly associated with age, BSA, intubation, latter two study periods, and opioid administration. Fluid administration was consistently associated with opioid administration at all measured time points. At 24 hours postburn, patients who received 2 to 4 OE/kg required an average of additional 3,650 +/- 1,704 ml of fluid, those receiving 4 to 6 OE/kg had required an average of 25,154 +/- 4,386 ml, and those who received >6 OE kg had required an average of 32,969 +/- 3,982 ml. In this single center retrospective study, we have shown a statistically significant increase in resuscitation fluids (from 1975 to 2007) and an association of resuscitation volumes with opioids. Opioids have been shown to increase resuscitation volumes in critically ill patients through both central and peripheral effects on the cardiovascular system. Because increased fluid resuscitation has been associated with adverse consequences in other studies, further research on alternative pain control strategies in thermally injured patients is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, UT 52246, USA.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wibbenmeyer
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sevier
authors.forename: Junlin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Light
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Latenser
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kealey
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosenquist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003102:Colloids; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010952:Plasma Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003102:Colloids; D000077324:Crystalloid Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010952:Plasma Substitutes