Author(s): YANG Zong-cheng
Pages: 372-374
Year: 2008 Issue:  5
Journal: CHINESE JOURNAL OF BURNS
Keyword:  Burns; inhalation; Pulmonary surfactant; High-frequency mechanical ventilation;
Abstract: Inhalation injury is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with serious burns. The improvement in the understanding of smoke inhalation injury had been obtained in the last half century in China. The models of steam and smoke inhalation injury had been reproduced and a series of experimental studies had been performed .It was found that chemical bronchotracheitis, pulmonary edema and alveolar collapse(atelectasis) were the primary pathologic findings after inhalation injury. The second inflammatory response would play an important role in the development of acute respiratory failure. The roles of some cytokines, inflammatory cells and pulmonary surfactants in the development of inhalation injury had been elucidated. The etologic factors and the pathophysiologic changes in inhalation injury had been illustrated clearly. These basic science investigations had led to the advances in protective strategies for the complications of inhalation injury. Now the morbidity and mortality of inhalation injury have decreased markedly in China.