ABSTRACT
To compare the rate of mortality in fire burn inhalational and non inhalational injuries. Retrospective, comparative study. The study was conducted at Burns centre, Civil Hospital, Karachi from January 2009 to December 2010. The study was conducted on admitted patients at Burns centre, Civil Hospital, Karachi. All male young male patients aged 20 to 40 years admitted in Burns ward [Civil Hospital, Karachi] suffering with fire burn inhalation or fire burn non inhalation injuries with burnt surface area between 20% - 50% were included in this study. Patients were followed until discharged or death. Out of total 300 male, 150 in each group having age between 20 and 40 years with 20% to 50% of burnt surface area and had sustained severe burn injuries admitted to Burn centre were included in the study. Of these, patients with fire burns inhalational injuries were at high incidence of mortality rate i.e. 66/150 [44%] as compared to non inhalational injuries i.e. 42/150 [28%] [P<0.05]. We conclude that patients with fire burn inhalation injuries are at increased risk of death, because in addition to severe cutaneous burns it also causes acute inflammation and damage of the respiratory system