Laryngeal morphologic changes and epidemiology in patients with inhalation injury: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Laryngeal morphologic changes are important in risk assessment of upper airway obstruction (UAO) after inhalation injury. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical application of laryngeal burn classification system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data from January 1999 to June 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The following data collected: age, gender, total burned surface area (TBSA), third-degree burn surface area, co-morbid injuries and complications, proportion of patients with tracheotomy, interval between tracheotomy and injury, incidence and mortality of UAO, and reasons for death.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-three patients were included; 405 patients underwent multiple fibro-laryngoscopic observation, of which I, II and III types of laryngeal burns were present in 49.9, 38.0, and 12.1% patients, respectively. Laryngeal burn severity was related to TBSA and third-degree burn surface area. Overall tracheotomy rate (n=443) was 37.02%. The mean interval between tracheotomy and injury was 10.0±12.17h. Over 75% patients underwent tracheotomy within 12h. Compared with moderate inhalation burn group, the severe inhalation burn group showed a significantly higher tracheotomy rate within 12h and a significantly shorter interval between tracheotomy and injury. Patient mortality was significantly related to the severity of inhalation injury.

CONCLUSION

The classification system of the morphologic laryngeal changes in laryngeal burn patients could effectively evaluate the UAO risk, enable earlier prophylactic tracheotomy after UAO onset, reduce surgical difficulties and risks, decrease clinical pressure of doctors, and prevent UAO. Laryngeal burn severity was related to TBSA and mortality and may be an important severity and prognosis indicator of inhalation injury.