Inhalation Injury Consensus Conference: Conclusions

Inhalation injury continues to contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of both children and adults with burn injury. Although strides have been made in improving the outcomes of patients with burn injury alone, the impact of inhalation injury on mortality has not been obviated. The purpose of the Inhalation Injury Consensus Conference was to help define what basic research elements are lacking and what additional information/definitions/technology, is needed to advance inhalation injury research. Conference participants were selected based on their broad expertise, clinical acumen, and research interests in inhalation injury. Topics were divided into several categories: definition and grading systems, inhalational therapies, systemic intravenous or oral therapies, mechanical ventilatory support, airway access, and long-term outcomes. Each topic was presented to the group and the strengths/weaknesses of each proposal discussed to provide a foundation for ranking priorities.