Respiratory Tract Burns, Traumatic Pulmonary Contusions, Crushing Death, and Crush Syndrome: What Kinds of Lung Injury Occur by Respiratory Tract Burn, Traumatic Contusion, and Crush Syndrome?

Abstract

Various types of respiratory system injury can occur in a disaster setting, including traumatic thoracic injury, traumatic asphyxia, and inhalation injury. Further, multi-system injuries may occur in combination with those affecting the respiratory system. Acute respiratory distress syndrome often complicates disaster-related injuries, such as crush syndrome, thoracic trauma, hemorrhagic shock, and burns. Poor hygiene, air and water pollution, malnutrition arising from food shortages, and shortages of medical resources in a disaster setting can aggravate the course of a disaster-related injury. A large number of casualties may occur at the scene of a disaster. The principle in disaster medicine is to provide the best treatment to the greatest number of victims using limited medical resources. Treatment of patients with severe injuries or complicated needs consumes a considerable amount of these resources. Therefore, victims should be transported to facilities outside the disaster zone as soon as possible for further treatment after vital signs are stabilized.