Comprehensive review of clinical presentation, treatment, and prognostic factors of airway burns

TL;DR

This review discusses how airway burns worsen outcomes in burn patients and highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for better recovery.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on airway burns, emphasizing multidisciplinary management and long-term effects.

Findings

Airway burns can cause inflammation, obstruction, and impaired gas exchange.

Bronchoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing airway injuries.

Early intervention improves prognosis and reduces long-term pulmonary dysfunction.

Abstract

Inhalation injury is a major contributor to poor outcomes in burn patients, increasing the risk of respiratory complications, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality. This review summarizes current knowledge on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of airway burns, based on clinical studies and guidelines. Injuries may be supraglottic, subglottic, or systemic, each leading to inflammation, airway obstruction, and impaired gas exchange. Carbon monoxide and cyanide toxicity further worsen systemic hypoxia. Diagnosis depends on clinical signs, imaging, and bronchoscopy, which remains the gold standard. Treatment involves airway stabilization, ventilatory support, inhaled therapies, and antidotes for toxic exposure. Prognosis is affected by burn extent, systemic response, and comorbidities such as substance abuse. Survivors often experience long-term pulmonary dysfunction, emphasizing the need for early, multidisciplinary intervention.