• L Bargues, F Vaylet, H Le Bever, P L'Her, and H Carsin.
• Centre de Traitement des Brûlés, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Percy, Clamart, France. BARGOL@aol.com
• Rev Mal Respir. 2005 Jun 1;22(3):449-60.

IntroductionSmoke inhalation and respiratory complications are still the major causes of mortality in severely burned patients.State Of The ArtThe diagnosis is suspected clinically on the basis of history and physical examination and can be confirmed bronchoscopically. Respiratory failure in burned patients occurs through a number of associated mechanisms. Pneumonitis and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common early complications. New pulmonary treatments and advances in ventilation have reduced the incidence of both barotrauma and infectious complications. Tracheal stenosis can occur as a late complication of prolonged mechanical ventilation.PerspectivesClinical and experimental studies have shown that damage to the mucosal barrier and the release of inflammatory mediators are the most important pathophysiological events following smoke inhalation. Manipulation of the inflammatory response following inhalation may be a treatment option in the distant future.ConclusionInhalation injury occurring in burned patients can produce severe respiratory and systemic complications.

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