Prolonged alteration in gut permeability following nonthermal injury.

To assess the extent of intestinal permeability following nonthermal injury ratios of lactulose and mannitol (L-M) concentrations in urine following enteral administration were determined simultaneously by a gas-liquid chromatography assay on days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 13 in 15 patients with an Injury Severity Score > 20. Thirteen of 15 patients recovered uneventfully and two developed minor infections. L-M ratios were significantly increased on days 3-10 (P < 0.05 vs controls). The data are consistent with previous studies describing early changes in gut permeability following nonthermal injury and show that altered permeability can persist for up to 10 days in patients with uneventful recoveries.