Surfactant therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome due to hydrocarbon aspiration

Horoz OO, Yildizdas D, Yilmaz HL
Correspondence: Dr Dincer Yildizdas, dyildizdas@cu.edu.tr

ABSTRACT
Hydrocarbon aspiration causes acute lung injury, which may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Surfactant has been shown to be beneficial in experimentally-induced hydrocarbon-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, there has not been a clinical study evaluating the effect of surfactant application on hydrocarbon aspiration in humans. We report a 17-month-old boy with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to hydrocarbon aspiration and was successfully treated with surfactant application.

Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome, hydrocarbon aspiration, surfactant therapy
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(4): e130-e132