Total titratable acidity of fasting gastric secretion was determined in 34 hemodynamically stable patients within five days after
burn.
Acid output was not predictive of
disease; acute duodenal ulcers, however, were not discovered in patients with
acid secretion of less than 3.11 mEq/hr. Patients with both gastric and
duodenal disease secreted significantly (P less than .05) more
acid than patients without duodenal involvement and complications were more likely to develop, especially from acute ulcerations.
Hemorrhage or perforation occurred in nine patients whose
acid output was significantly (P less than .05) greater than that of asymptomatic patients. Duodenal regulation and neutralization of
acid secretion may be impaired in patients with early duodenal injury, resulting in a relative increase in
acid output and enhanced potential for complications. A controlled evaluation of
antacid therapy in the prevention of disease complications seems justified in these patients.