Fevidence of bacterial translocation in an experimental model of multiple trauma

Introduction: To analyze the relationship between multiple trauma and bacterial translocation in an experimental model. Material and methods: Injuries were induced in 132 Balb/c rats, aged 8-12 weeks, using a multiple trauma generator. Expected mortality was 20%. Bacterial translocation was determined at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours following trauma. Fisher's exact test was used in the statistical analysis. Results: Overall translocation in the control group was 14.3%. Translocation in the group with multiple injuries was 70% (p < 0.00001). With a 95% CI of 95%, the number of colonies per gram of lymph node was from 1 to 3.6 in the control group and from 20.7 to 127.7 in the injured group. The differences between the control and injured animals at the time intervals described were significant at 8 hours (p = 0.01), 12 hours (p = 0.041), 24 hours (p = 0.041) and 72 hours (p = 0.041; Fisher's exact test). Conclusion: Bacterial translocation occurs early after experimental multiple trauma. We believe that this translocation may be a significant trigger of multiple organ failure after trauma.