Laryngotracheal Stenosis in Burned Patients with Inhalation Injury: Analysis of Risk Factors

Kim, Il Woo; Choi, Dong Joon; Kim, Tae Hoo; Kim, Beom Gyu; Kim, Yong Bok; Park, Il Seok; Rho, Young Soo; Ahn, Hwoe Young; Kim, Jong Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in burned patients with inhalation injury have features distinct from other stenosis after intubation or tracheotomy. However, the risk factors for LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury have not been thoroughly assessed. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for and evaluate the pattern of LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
From May 2005 to April 2007, 227 burned patients with inhalation injury treated at the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center were investigated retrospectively. The risk factors analyzed for LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury were gender, age, duration of intubation, size of the endotracheal tube, previous tracheotomy, number of intubations, severity of inhalation injury.
RESULTS
Among 81 patients who survived and could be followed up until the study period, 10 (12%) patients developed LTS. The stenosis involved the subglottis.cervical trachea (5), subglottis.cervical tracheal and glottis (1), glottis (4). According to Myer-Cotton classification, there were 6 (60%) patients with grade III, IV stenoses on subglottis.cervical trachea. The number of intubations and previous tracheotomy were found to be risk factors for the development of LTS in burned patients with inhalation injury.
CONCLUSION
LTS by inhalation injury is usually shown on web at the anterior and posterior glottic areas or circumferential narrowing of the subglottis. Repeated endotracheal intubations and previous tracheotomy in patients with inhalation injury may increase the prevalence of LTS.