Respiratory Complications in Burns An Evolving Spectrum of Injury

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
J. Boots, Robert
M. Dulhunty, Joel
Paratz, Jennifer D.
Lipman, Jeffrey
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2009
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Respiratory complications associated with burn injury are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and occur in up to 41% of patients admitted to hospital after thermal injury. Inhalation injury can be due to a combination of thermal, chemical, and systemic effects and is the most significant complication in the early phase post-burn injury (first 48 hours), predisposing the patient to the development of pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pneumonia. Early management comprises oxygen delivery, assessment of carbon monoxide and cyanide toxicity, visualization of the airway, and repeated evaluation of the need for intubation. The middle phase (days to weeks post-burn injury) is associated with an increased risk of infection and venous thromboembolism. Principles of management include protocols for the avoidance and management of nosocomial pneumonia. Although the presence of long-term respiratory dysfunction is uncommon after nonfatal burn injury, late sequelae (months to years post-burn injury) include reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, bronchiolitis obliterans, and tracheal stenosis.

Journal Title

Clinical Pulmonary Medicine

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

16

Issue

3

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Physiotherapy

Persistent link to this record
Citation