Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
high

Critically ill inhalation patients are at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter infections.

short term
low

Patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome are at risk for barotrauma, sometimes induced by mechanical ventilation.

Dysbarism

short term
low

The combination of airway obstruction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and mechanical ventilation characteristic of severe inhalation injury places the patient at relatively high risk of pneumothorax. Careful attention to maintain low tidal volumes and minimise plateau pressures on the ventilator decreases the risk of this complication. Chest tube insertion is indicated if pneumothorax develops.

Pneumothorax

long term
high

Patients with carbon monoxide poisoning have incidences of long-term deficit as high as 50%.[51] Aggressive oxygen therapies (possibly with hyperbaric delivery) are recommended, although their utility in preventing this complication is unknown.[27]

Carbon monoxide poisoning

long term
high

Rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, vocal cord dysfunction, bronchitis, and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome are potential sequelae of moderate to severe inhalation injury.

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