Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
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J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. · Jul 2004
Early and vigorous fluid resuscitation prevents acute renal failure in the crush victims of catastrophic earthquakes.
This study analyzes the effects of fluid resuscitation in the crush victims of the Bingol earthquake, which occurred in May 2003 in southeastern Turkey. Questionnaires asking about demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic features of 16 crush victims were filled in retrospectively. Mean duration under the rubble was 10.3 +/- 7 h, and all patients had severe rhabdomyolysis. ⋯ Sixteen fasciotomies were performed in 11 patients (68%), nine of which were complicated by wound infections. All patients survived and were discharged from the hospital with good renal function. Early and vigorous fluid resuscitation followed by mannitol-alkaline diuresis prevents acute renal failure in crush victims, resulting in a more favorable outcome.