GLUCOSE AS AN ADJUNCT TRIAGE TOOL TO THE RED-CROSS WOUND CLASSIFICATION

The plasma concentrations of glucose, adrenaline, noradrenaline, insul in, and cortisol were measured in 59 patients within 18 hours of milit ary gunshot/missile (MG/M) wound, The wounds were categorized by the R ed Cross Wound Classification (RCWC) and assessed by the Injury Severi ty Score (ISS) method. The majority of the measured biochemical parame ters, except insulin, were significantly increased after MG/M wounds, compared with control values, Plasma glucose concentration in wounded patients was positively related to ISS over the whole severity range, Plasma insulin concentration increased with glucose, Noradrenaline and cortisol were positively related to glucose. Because hemorrhage is th e most common cause of general response to MG/M wound, we concluded th at glucose measurement could be a useful adjunct tool to the RCWC in r apid and accurate assessment of severely wounded patients, especially those with occult thoraco-abdominal wounds.