Airway compromise in children with anterior neck burns: Beware the scalded child

Abstract

These results demonstrate that subcutaneous and soft tissue oedema secondary to anterior neck burns may contribute to airway narrowing and compromise requiring intubation. When assessing children's airways, evolving oedema should be recognised and higher observation or early intubation considered regardless of the mechanism of injury.

Exploring anesthesiologist niche in burn management: Putting the tube where it belongs. A case series on difficult airways in burns

“…They are more susceptible to airway obstruction because of major anatomical differences from adults such as large floppy epiglottis and small diameter trachea. 5 Anesthesiologists should always have an element of doubt about the presence of edema; thereby, intracuff pressure should be kept less than lower safe limit as there are chances of fistula formation. 6 The endotracheal tube should be left uncut as edema can advance up to 48 h and there are chances of endotracheal tube migration.…”

Factors Associated With Mechanical Ventilation Duration in Pediatric Burn Patients in a Regional Burn Center in the United States*

“…This demonstrates that even relatively small-sized burns to the head and neck region in a child may meaningfully impact resource needs. Head and neck burns can cause external airway compression as the burn matures, as well as progressive airway edema associated with inhalational injury, which might delay extubation (12, 13).…”