Inhalation injury in burns.

(1) Inhalation injury usually occurs in persons with large flame burns indoors, frequently followed by respiratory failure and death. (2) fiberoptic bronchoscopy accurately verifies the diagnosis. (3) Assessment of pulmonary capillary integrity plus bronchoscopy can predict early respiratory failure. (4) Surfactant deficiency may promote late respiratory failure. (5) Corticosteroids probably are beneficial.