The significance of facial burns in acute smoke inhalation.
The medical records of 21 patients with smoke inhalation admitted to a medical ICU (MICU) were reviewed. Of 21 patients, 6 (29%) died. Of 21 patients, 13 (62%) had facial burns and 11 of the 13 (85%) later developed pneumonia. Only 1 of 8 patients (12%) without facial burns developed pneumonia (p less than 0.005). Of the 12 patients with pneumonia, 7 required ventilatory assistance and 6 of the 7 died in the MICU. The authors conclude that the presence of facial burns is associated with the later development of pneumonia in a high percentage of cases. Pneumonia contributes significantly to the high mortality rate. The need for ventilatory assistance in smoke inhalation patients is associated with a poor prognosis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011336:Probability; D012124:Respiratory Care Units; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000293:injuries*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012906:Smoke
D012906:Smoke