Treatment of Inhalation Injury
Abstract
The expression 'inhalation injury', in English terminology, includes conditions as different as those due to soot inhalation, barotrauma lesions or respiratory burns. Our point of view is that 'inhalation injury' represents only one instance of a more general condition called 'Primary Respiratory Lesions.' This expression 'Primary Respiratory Lesions' includes all the direct pulmonary lesions induced by the causal agent itself at the time of the insult. These direct lesions include: Macroscopically visible lesions seen by fiberoptic bronchoscopy: sources through irritating and caustic action in the tracheal or bronchial mucosa. Soot invasion, resulting at least in atelectasis and infections, even in burns when the soot is hot or irritating. And there are bronchiole and alveolar injuries not visible with endoscopy. Thermal and especially chemical inhalation injuries. Direct damage to the surfactant is probably implicated. Barotrauma injuries (pulmonary blast injuries) affecting the alveolocapillary membrane with probable indirect destruction of the surfactant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP004418
Entities
People
- Jean Guilbaud
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research