Interactions between local and generalised burn edema.

In judging the infusion therapy of burn injuries, not only the circulatory and pulmonary effects are considered but also the local effect on burned tissue. Local edema leads to hypoxia as well as to the burn-specific sludge phenomenon. Microcirculation and edema are often adversely influenced by our therapeutic efforts. Therapeutic proteinase inhibition, for example, has a beneficial effect on edema formation but reduces spontaneous fibrinolytic activity and thus increases the sludge phenomenon. Standardized experimental scalds of 30% of the body surface in rabbits increased density of the lungs, as determined by computed tomography. Colloidal infusion therapy was found to diminish fluid shift into the lung more than crystalloid infusion therapy. However, all tested infusion regimens, using identical quantity, increased edema formation in the burned skin. Biseco (natural serum proteins containing igG, igA and igM; Fa. Biotest, Frankfurt, F.R.G.) and Solcoseryl (a protein-free extract of calf blood stimulating the oxygen efficiency; Fa. Solco Basel) were demonstrated to diminish local edema formation as well as lung edema secondary to burn injuries.