Badulak JH, Schurr M, Sauaia A, Ivashchenko A, Peltz E. Defining the criteria for intubation of the patient with thermal burns.
Burns 2018;
44:531-538. [PMID:
29548862 DOI:
10.1016/j.burns.2018.02.016]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Recent studies demonstrate that burn patients are undergoing unnecessary intubations. We sought to determine the clinical criteria that predict intubations with benefit.
METHODS
This was a retrospective review of intubated adults admitted to our center with thermal burns 2008-2013. Criteria for intubation were defined as traditional criteria (suspected smoke inhalation, oropharynx soot, hoarseness, dysphagia, singed facial hair, oral edema, oral burn, non-full thickness facial burns), or ABA criteria as defined by the 2011 ABA guidelines (full thickness facial burns, stridor, respiratory distress, swelling on laryngoscopy, upper airway trauma, altered mentation, hypoxia/hypercarbia, hemodynamic instability). Patients with <26days free from mechanical ventilation (ventilator-free days (VFD)) out of 28, were deemed indicated long-term intubations. Those with ≥26 VFD were deemed unnecessary short-term intubations.
RESULTS
Of 218 patients, 151 had long-term and 67 had short-term intubations. Long-term intubation was strongly associated with ABA criteria (77.5%) compared to traditional criteria (22.5%) (p<0.001). Sensitivity of ABA criteria for long-term intubation was 77% and specificity 46%. Traditional criteria associated with long-term intubation included suspected smoke inhalation (OR 2.45 [95% CI, 1.18-5.11]), and singed facial hair (OR 2.53 [95% CI, 1.25-5.09]). The addition of these to ABA criteria created the Denver criteria, which exhibited an increased sensitivity for long-term intubations (95%), but decreased specificity (24%).
CONCLUSIONS
Intubation should be considered for patients displaying the Denver criteria, which includes full thickness facial burns, stridor, respiratory distress, swelling on laryngoscopy, upper airway trauma, altered mentation, hypoxia/hypercarbia, hemodynamic instability, suspected smoke inhalation, and singed facial hair. Patients lacking these criteria should not be intubated.
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