ABSTRACT
The decision to intubate acute burn patients is often based on the presence of classic clinical exam findings. However, these findings may have poor correlation with airway injury and result in unnecessary intubation. We investigated flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FFL) as a means to diagnose upper airway thermal and inhalation injury and guide airway management. A retrospective chart review of all burn patients who underwent FFL from 2013 to 2017 was performed. Their charts were reviewed to determine the indications for FFL including the historical data and physical exam findings that indicated airway injury as well as patient age, TBSA, type and depth of burn injury, carboxyhemoglobin level, and clinical course. Fifty-one patients underwent FFL, with an average TBSA of 6.5% (range 0.5-38.0%) and carboxyhemoglobin level of 3.5%. Burn mechanism was flame (35.3%) or flash (51.0%), with 50% occurring in enclosed spaces. In all cases, the decision to perform FFL was based on physical exam findings meeting criteria for intubation, including facial burns, singed nasal hairs, nasal soot, voice change, throat pain or abnormal sensation, shortness of breath, carbonaceous sputum, wheezing, or stridor. Based on FFL, 9 patients (17.7%) were treated with steroids, 28 patients (54.9%) received supportive care, and 6 patients (11.8%) had repeat FFL for monitoring. One patient was intubated after repeat FFL examination. All patients who underwent FFL met traditional criteria for intubation based on exam, however 98% were monitored without issues based on FFL findings. FFL is a valuable tool that can lead to fewer intubations in acute burn patients with a stable respiratory status for whom history and physical exam suggest upper airway injury.
Subject(s)
Airway Management/methods , Burns, Inhalation/therapy , Laryngoscopy/methods , Unnecessary Procedures/methods , Burn Units/organization & administration , Burns, Inhalation/diagnosis , Cohort Studies , Female , Fiber Optic Technology/methods , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Injury Severity Score , Intubation, Intratracheal , Laryngoscopy/statistics & numerical data , Male , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) burns are an ill-defined entity due to a lack of reported sizable burns from this chemical. In this case report of the largest reported burn from TFA, we demonstrate that TFA causes extensive, progressive full-thickness tissue injury that may initially appear superficial. Trifluoroacetic acid does not seem to involve the systemic toxicities that result from hydrofluoric acid burns, and there is no role for calcium gluconate in acute management based on this case. Operative intervention should be staged because wound beds may initially seem healthy yet demonstrate continued necrosis.
Subject(s)
Burns, Chemical/therapy , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Trifluoroacetic Acid , Compression Bandages , Female , Humans , Silver Sulfadiazine/administration & dosage , Skin Transplantation , Young AdultABSTRACT
Methyl bromide chemical burns are rare. Only two cases have been reported to date. The presentation of methyl bromide chemical burns is unusual. Patients with an acute exposure should be observed closely as the initial presentation can appear deceptively benign. The latency period lasts several hours prior to the development of chemical burn wounds. In this article, we review the literature on methyl bromide chemical burns and present our experience managing a patient with an extensive methyl bromide burn.
