Citation

Tikellis JI, Spillert CR, Suval W, Lazaro EJ. Am. Surg. 1986; 52(1): 53-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Southeastern Surgical Congress)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3942389

Abstract

Alcohol has been demonstrated to produce cutaneous vasodilation. The burn wound is characterized by a compromised microcirculation which is amenable to pharmacologic manipulation to improve the final outcome of the injury. Various agents including heparin, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been employed to maintain a patent microcirculatory bed. Ethanol has been used in the present study in a murine burn model as a vasodilator administered immediately preburn and post-burn. Preburn administration of ethanol significantly improved the mean burn severity at 48 hr compared to ethanol given post-burn. Ethanol, acting as a vasodilator, improves dermal circulation post-burn and reduces the overall extent of injury.

Language: en