2025, Volume 18, Issue 5, pp 405 – 410

Comprehensive review of clinical presentation, treatment, and prognostic factors of airway burns

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Authors and Affiliations

Corresponding author Rares-Adrian Giurgiu, Department 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania; E-mail: rares.giurgiu@drd.umfcd.ro

Abstract

Inhalation injury is a major contributor to poor outcomes in burn patients, increasing the risk of respiratory complications, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality. This review summarizes current knowledge on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of airway burns, based on clinical studies and guidelines. Injuries may be supraglottic, subglottic, or systemic, each leading to inflammation, airway obstruction, and impaired gas exchange. Carbon monoxide and cyanide toxicity further worsen systemic hypoxia. Diagnosis depends on clinical signs, imaging, and bronchoscopy, which remains the gold standard. Treatment involves airway stabilization, ventilatory support, inhaled therapies, and antidotes for toxic exposure. Prognosis is affected by burn extent, systemic response, and comorbidities such as substance abuse. Survivors often experience long-term pulmonary dysfunction, emphasizing the need for early, multidisciplinary intervention.

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About this article

PMC ID: 12207697
PubMed ID: 
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2025-0081

Article Publishing Date (print): 5 2025
Available Online: 

Journal information

ISSN Printing: 1844-122X
ISSN Online: 1844-3117
Journal Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Copyright License: Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.


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