ObjectiveTo retrospectively compare the clinical effects of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and conventional ventilation (CV) on patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by smoke inhalation injury. MethodsForty-three patients with smoke inhalation induced ARDS were admitted in the Center Hospital of Hu Ludao between October 2004 and June 2015.Among the patients, 19 cases were treated with CV (CV group) and 24 cases were treated with HFOV (HFOV group).The clinical data were collected and compared between two groups including blood gas at certain time points (6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 96 h, and 7 d) as well as complications and prognosis. ResultsThere was no significant difference in arterial blood gas between two groups before treatment (P > 0.05).After ventilation treatment, there were significant differences in arterial blood gas parameters between two groups except arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure at 48 and 96 h.And the patients in the HFOV group improved more obviously.The hospitalization time and ventilation time in the HFOV group were significantly shorter than those in the CV group (P < 0.05).No significant difference was found between two groups in the incidences of mortality, complications or 30-day survival rate (P > 0.05). ConclusionsBoth high frequency oscillatory ventilation and conventional ventilation can improve the clinical status in patients with smoke inhalation induced ARDS.These two ventilation modes do not present any difference with respect to prognosis by present evidence.