• R Mlcak, M H Desai, E Robinson, R Nichols, and D N Herndon.
• Shriners Burns Institute--Galveston Unit, TX 77550, USA.
• Burns. 1998 May 1; 24 (3): 213-6.

Introductiondespite the frequency of pulmonary complications and the reports of abnormal lung function as a sequela of severe thermal injury, most of the lung function studies following thermal injury have been directed at the immediate post-burn period. This investigation is designed to evaluate late residual respiratory impairment in patients with severe thermal injury.Methodsspirometry and lung volumes were completed on 17 children with severe thermal injury 8 years post-injury. None of the patients had pre-existing lung disease prior to injury.Resultsthe patient demographic data was as follows: nine male, eight female patients; mean TBSB=67+/-29%; mean third degree=62+/-32%; 13 patients had inhalation injury diagnosed by bronchoscopy. Spirometry and lung volumes at examination as a percentage of predicted values were: [see table in text]. Spirometry and lung volumes show: two patients had an obstructive disease process; nine patients had an obstructive and restrictive disease process; five patients had a purely restrictive process; and one patient had a diffusion defect.Conclusionthe data indicate that children who survive severe thermal injury may not regain normal lung function.

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