Study of changes in air passage histopathologically in burns cases.

Background: Every year a substantial proportion of deaths in India occur due to burn injuries. Prolonged morbidity as well as temporary and permanent disability due to burns results in a heavy economic loss. Method: We studied relation between manner of death and histopathological findings in air passages at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. Result: There is no relation between manner of death and histopathological changes because there is no specific pattern in degree and body surface area involved in various cases of burns of different manner of death. Injuries of airways due to burns decreased in trachea and lungs as survival period in days increased. This may be due to clinical interference in way of treatment. Airway injuries increased in trachea and lungs with increasing severity of degree of burns, but irrespective of degree of burns, congestion is found in all cases in larynx. Larynx is affected in all cases due to its easily accessible anatomical position. Conclusion: Larynx is affected in all cases due to its easily accessible anatomical position. Again it is understandable that; more the involvement of body surface area more will be the airway injury. This may be due to inhalation of smoke and more exposure to burns.