Тhe use of corticosteroids in patients with severe burn injuries

Abstract

Modern treatment of burns has led to a significant reduction in mortality in patients with burns whose injuries were fatal several years ago. However, along with improved survival, new problems arose in the treatment of burn patients. Systemic inflammatory response, capillary leak, sepsis top the list of the most common problems in both adults and children with severe thermal injury. Currently, new strategies are being developed and studied in the treatment of this category of patients. One of the ways to improve the results of treatment of patients with severe burn injury is to prescribe corticosteroids, both in the stage of burn shock and in the development of septic complications. Do corticosteroids reduce mortality and improve recovery in burn patients? The discussion about this has been going on for many years, but the opinion about their effectiveness remains controversial. An analysis of the literature shows that corticosteroids can play a significant role in the treatment of patients with severe burn injury and can be successfully used at any stage of a burn disease. The effect of reducing capillary leakage, increasing myocardial contractility, antiemetic, membrane-stabilizing effect of corticosteroids will be useful in the stage of burn shock. The anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect of corticosteroids will play a role in any stage of a burn disease. With the aim of preventing and treating sepsis, corticosteroids may be useful in the stage of toxemia, septicotoxemia. It is also necessary to remember about adrenal insufficiency, which develops in burn patients. The article analyzes the literature, substantiates the use of corticosteroids in patients with severe burn injury in different periods of a burn disease.