ABSTRACT
Along with early excision and grafting, one of the central tenets of current burn care is fluid resuscitation of the burn victim. Many different methods have been proposed, all valid, but with no universal acceptance for one formula. They vary in their use of crystalloid and colloid components and are in continuing evolution as we understand the pathophysiology of the burn wound better. The most important principle in burn resuscitation is that any of these formulas are only guidelines and individual fluid requirements are to be judged by clinical and hemodynamic parameters as endpoints. Without adequate resuscitation, tissue perfusion suffers and the burn shock cascade is perpetuated. Delay to adequate resuscitation is one of the factors identified with increased mortality.
