Assessment of Voice Disorder following Inhalation Injury / 대한산업의학회지

ABSTRACT

Objective: Injury to the airway, found in 25% to 35% of patients admitted to major burn center, is now the leading cause of death in burn patients. Significant inhalation injury can increase the patient mortality rates by up to 20%. Toxic compounds in smoke can include phosgene, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine from plastics and various oxides and aldehydes from burning wood. These compound directly injure airway epithe hal cells, causing an intense inflammatory response with significant edema. After the critical problem is controlled with intensive care in inhalation burn patients, less critical but significant laryngeal function such as protection, phonation and deglutition may often be overlooked. METHOD & RESULT: We have experienced a male patient who was injured by inhalation of toxic compound in ship under cohstruction. He have suffered from pulmonary problem, bronchiohitis obhiterans. Voice disorder was assessed and managed by otolaryngologists after resolving the pulmonary lesion. CONCLUSION: Evaluation and treatment of patients suspected of inhalation injury should include anatomical and functional aspects of the larynx as well as critical problem of the airway.