Management of inhalation injury and respiratory complications in Burns Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND Inhalation injury has high mortality and carries a significant risk of permanent pulmonary dysfunction. Inhalation injury and its consequences impose difficulties for the respiratory therapists, nurses and doctors who play a central role in its clinical management. In this study, we aimed to report our clinical experience and the role of non-invasive mechanic ventilatory (NIMV) support in a series of inhalation-injured patients. METHODS Patients hospitalized at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital's Burns Intensive Care Unit between March 2009 and March 2011 was reviewed, and patients with required respiratory support due to inhalation injury were included in the study. RESULTS Among the patients, 37 had inhalation injury, and their mortality was 13.5%. Of the 37 patients, 16 had mandatory intubation (6 in the first 6 hours and 10 in the clinical course); however, others (67.8%) had only NIMV support. CONCLUSION Application of NIMV support with proper modes decreases the need for invasive procedures in inhalation-injured patients. Based on our results, we propose the application of NIMV support in inhalation-injured burn patients.