Early laryngeal inhalation injury and its correlation with late sequelae

Inhalation injury can permanently alter normal laryngeal function. The aim of this study was to examine the early changes in voice, swallowing, and breathing in laryngeal inhalation injuries.

This was a prospective analysis of nine patients with inhalation injuries at a tertiary care institution.

Laryngeal function of patients admitted for inhalation injury requiring intubation was documented using videostroboscopy and swallowing evaluation by the speech pathology service. Bronchoscopy was used to classify the degree of inhalation injury. Association among total body surface area, facial burns, severity of laryngotracheal injuries, and loss of function was attempted.

All three patients with severe tracheal inhalation injury presented persistent hoarseness at 1-year follow up with abnormal videostroboscopy findings. No association was found between inhalation injury and total body surface area burned. None of the patients in this series presented permanent swallowing dysfunction.

The otolaryngologist plays an important role in the initial and long-term management of inhalation injuries. Inhalation injuries should be managed in a multidisciplinary fashion. There may be a correlation between the degree of tracheal injury and laryngeal injury and hoarseness.