Citation

Mlcak R, Desai MH, Robinson E, Nichols R, Herndon DN. Burns 1998; 24(3): 213-216.

Affiliation

Shriners Burns Institute--Galveston Unit, TX 77550, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9677023

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: despite the frequency of pulmonary complications and the reports of abnormal lung function as a sequela of severe thermal injury, most of the lung function studies following thermal injury have been directed at the immediate post-burn period. This investigation is designed to evaluate late residual respiratory impairment in patients with severe thermal injury. METHODS: spirometry and lung volumes were completed on 17 children with severe thermal injury 8 years post-injury. None of the patients had pre-existing lung disease prior to injury. RESULTS: the patient demographic data was as follows: nine male, eight female patients; mean TBSB=67+/-29%; mean third degree=62+/-32%; 13 patients had inhalation injury diagnosed by bronchoscopy. Spirometry and lung volumes at examination as a percentage of predicted values were: [see table in text]. Spirometry and lung volumes show: two patients had an obstructive disease process; nine patients had an obstructive and restrictive disease process; five patients had a purely restrictive process; and one patient had a diffusion defect. CONCLUSION: the data indicate that children who survive severe thermal injury may not regain normal lung function.

Language: en