[The time and indication for tracheotomy when inhalation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the time and indication of tracheotomy for patients with inhalation injury.

METHOD AND RESULT: One hundred and twenty four cases were under tracheotomy in 1-24 hours after burn in which 85 were gentle (11 died after operation), 22 moderate (9 died post-operation), 17 severe (11 died post-operation), 24 hours later there were 51 cases were operated in which the gentle 12 (8 died after operation), the moderate 34 (15 died post-operation) and the severe 5 (5 died post-operation). There were 5 patients had died before tracheotomy. There were 21 cases with cervical annular and deminannular eschar, 90 cases with severe burn in head and face, and 32 cases with fish mouths, 37 cases with blood serum bleeding in mouth and nose cavities.

CONCLUSION: The crisis of larynx obstruction is the most important factor of causing death, and the earlier tracheotomy in patients with inhalation injury can reduce the incidence of larynx obstruction crisis and mortality.