PERITONEAL IRRIGATION IN THE TREATMENT OF BARBITAL INTOXICATION

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

To evaluate the efficiency of peritoneal irrigation in the treatment of barbital intoxication, experiments were performed on 28 mongrel dogs weighing 6 to 11kg. After administration of 300mg/kg of barbital by a gastric tube, peritoneal irrigations were done continuously or intermittently with Abbott and Shea's solution. Continuous irrigations were carried out on four nephrectomized dogs and on eight non-nephrectomized dogs for 4 to 6 hours. Intermittnet irrigations were done on three non-nephrectomized dogs with three successive two-hours periods. Thirteen dogs were used as a control group. The results were as follows:
1) The removal rates of bartibal by continuous irrigation exceeded urinary excretion rates in the control group in which 20% glucose solution was infused to maintain diuresis. The mean amounts of barbital removed in dialysate and excreted in urine in the non-nephrectomized group were 14.36% and 5.47% of the given dose, respectively. Therefore, total elimination of barbital amounted to 19.83% of the given dose.
2) Plasma concentration of barbital decreased significantly following peritoneal irrigations. In the nephrectomized group, decreases of plasma barbital concentration occured in parallel with reduction of plasma non-protein nitrogen levels.
3) Calculated clearance of barbital by peritoneal irrigation rangred from 1.73cc/min or 3.86cc/min/surface area m² to 8.82cc/min or 18.18cc/min/S.A., the average being 4.34cc/min or 9.08cc/min/S.A.. These values of “peritoneal” clearance corresponded to the same or one half of renal clearance of barbital in the control group.
It is suggested that peritoneal irrigation may be used clinically in the treatment of acute barbital intoxication as effective means.