Hypercalcaemia and acute renal failure after major burns: An under-diagnosed condition.

Background: Hypercalcaemia has been shown to occur in about 20% of patients with major burns requiring prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, and it may be associated with renal failure. Having observed the early onset of hypercalcaemia, the study aimed to determine the frequency and timing of this condition in a European patient cohort.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study on a prospectively collected, computerised database of the 225 burn-injury ICU admissions between 2001 and 2007 was undertaken.

[Thoracic surgery and underfeeding scientific evidences, diagnosis and treatment].

Underfeeding causes a significant increase of postoperative complications, particularly respiratory and infectious complications. Thoracic surgery is frequently required in patients suffering wasting diseases (cancer, COPD, cystic fibrosis), which increase the risk of malnutrition. The most important risk factors are preoperative hypoalbuminemia and BMI < 20.