[The lung of the thermally injured patient]

Abstract

Severely burned patients are at high risk for developing respiratory failure at any time during their treatment. The lung of a thermally injured patient may sustain many injuries such as smoke inhalation, physical forces, inflammation and infection. The knowledge of the mechanisms of burn injury, physical exam findings, laboratory studies, relevant radiologic examinations, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy allow an early and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary damage. The treatment consists of oxygenation, mechanical ventilation, surgical treatment of burn wounds and trauma, and possible therapy for poisoning. The respiratory injuries are one of the main factors responsible for high mortality in burned patients. Better understanding of the pathophysiology and inflammatory response will lead to future therapeutic advances.