Salomon Puyana1, Samuel Ruiz2, Francisco Amador3, Mark Mckenney2,4, Elizabeth Young5, Rizal Lim5, Haaris Mir2,5. 1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. 2. Department of Surgery, Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami, Florida. 3. Department of Medicine, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia. 4. Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. 5. Burn and Reconstructive Centers of Florida, Miami, Florida.
Abstract
Background: Although it has been widely proposed that inhalation injuries worsen burn outcomes, large-scale studies have yet to demonstrate the exact relationship. This study proposes inhalation injuries as an independent risk factor that worsens burn outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of the American Burn Association Registry from 2002 to 2011 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included burn patients with a total body surface area (TBSA) of less than 15% and adequate data recording of the inhalation injury within the registry. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: inhalation injuries (group 1) vs non-inhalation injuries (group 2). Outcome measures included in-hospital mortality rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and days on a ventilator. Results: A total of 93781 burn patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 4204 patients in group 1 and 89577 patients in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of TBSA, with 3.50% in group 1 and 3.58% in group 2. There was a significantly higher ICU LOS at 8.55 days in group 1 compared to 6.27 days in group 2. There was a significantly higher hospital LOS at 11.48 days in group 1 compared to 6.27 days in group 2. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in group 1 at 8.54% vs group 2 at 1.42%. Conclusion: The presence of inhalation injury may be a predictor of increased mortality and poor outcome in burn patients, even in those with small sized burns.
Background: Although it has been widely proposed that inhalation injuries worsen burn outcomes, large-scale studies have yet to demonstrate the exact relationship. This study proposes inhalation injuries as an independent risk factor that worsens burn outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of the American Burn Association Registry from 2002 to 2011 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included burn patients with a total body surface area (TBSA) of less than 15% and adequate data recording of the inhalation injury within the registry. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: inhalation injuries (group 1) vs non-inhalation injuries (group 2). Outcome measures included in-hospital mortality rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, and days on a ventilator. Results: A total of 93781 burn patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 4204 patients in group 1 and 89577 patients in group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of TBSA, with 3.50% in group 1 and 3.58% in group 2. There was a significantly higher ICU LOS at 8.55 days in group 1 compared to 6.27 days in group 2. There was a significantly higher hospital LOS at 11.48 days in group 1 compared to 6.27 days in group 2. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in group 1 at 8.54% vs group 2 at 1.42%. Conclusion: The presence of inhalation injury may be a predictor of increased mortality and poor outcome in burn patients, even in those with small sized burns.
Authors: Robert A Cox; Ann S Burke; Kazutaka Soejima; Kazunori Murakami; Jiro Katahira; Lillian D Traber; David N Herndon; Frank C Schmalstieg; Daniel L Traber; Hal K Hawkins Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 6.914