UPPER AIRWAY PROBLEMS IN SEVERELY BURNED PATIENTS

A review of the literature relative to the problems concerning the respiratory tract in the severely burned patient reveals a paucity of information on this subject in the otolaryngologic literature. In view of the fact that otolaryngologists may be called upon to assist in the management of the airway in these patients, the general literature has been reviewed and condensed to point out the factors of importance in the history, symptoms, signs and management of patients during the various stages of involvement with this type of injury. This review has pointed out the extreme paucity of information relative to the role of the larynx in the severely burned patient, indicating a need for additional clinical and laboratory investigations to properly assess the importance of laryngeal changes in the management of these patients. © 1969, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.