Diagnosis and treatment of inhalation injuries

Inhalation injury continues to be a major co-morbid factor in the thermally injured patient. Appreciation of the pathophysiology of inhalation injury has been gradually acquired through active basic science and clinical research. This understanding has led to improvements in diagnosis, ventilatory support, and infection control, all of which have contributed to the improved prognosis of burn patients. As our understanding of inhalation injury continues to develop, further avenues of therapeutic investigation will arise and continue to lead to further improvement in the prognosis of thermally injured patients.