In burn management, what is the purpose of fluid resuscitation?

Fluid resuscitation is a critical component of burn management, particularly in the early phase after a burn injury. The primary purpose of administering fluids is to restore circulating blood volume and maintain adequate organ perfusion. When a person suffers burns, a significant amount of fluid can leak from the intravascular space into the interstitial space due to damage to blood vessels and increased capillary permeability. This can lead to hypovolemia, a reduction in the volume of circulating blood, which compromises oxygen delivery to vital organs.

By providing intravenous fluids, healthcare providers aim to counteract the loss of fluid and ensure that the patient maintains a sufficient blood volume. This helps to stabilize blood pressure, improve cardiac output, and sustain adequate organ function, all of which are essential for preventing complications and improving outcomes.

While fluid resuscitation may have secondary effects, such as potentially supporting wound healing and providing some degree of pain relief by stabilizing the patient’s condition, its foremost purpose is to address the critical need for restoration of blood volume and organ perfusion.