Facial
burns are generally considered severe. This is due to the possibility of respiratory complications. First responders check the nostrils for singed hairs. In severe cases there may be
soot around the nose and mouth and coughing may produce phlegm that includes ash. Facial and inhalational
burns compromise airways. They pose difficulties in pre-hospital
resuscitation and are challenge to clinicians managing surviving
burn victims in the
intensive care setting. Management problems -
resuscitation, airway maintenance and clinical treatment of
facial injuries are compounded if the victim is child. Inhalational
burns reduce survivability, certainly in adult victim. In our retrospective study we found that facial
burns dominated in male gender, liquids and scalds are the most common causes of facial
burns in children whereas the flame and electricity were the most common causes of facial
burns in adults. We came to the conclusion in our study that surgical treatment minimizes complications and duration of recovery.