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Citation |
Karunadasa KP, Perera C, Kanagaratnum V, Wijerathne UP, Samarasingha I, Kannangara CK. J. Burn Care Res. 2010; 31(5): 781-785. |
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Affiliation |
From the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2010, American Burn Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
20647935 |
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Abstract |
Acid burn causes a nonthermal trauma, with higher prevalence in developing countries. These burns are potentially lethal if it involves a significant proportion of the body surface. A retrospective review was performed by analyzing patient records of the Burns and Reconstructive Surgical Unit for 18 months. We received 46 acid burn patients due to assaults, which is 4% of the total number of burn patients during the period. The age range was 12 to 60 years, and 63% of the patients were between 21 and 40 years. Male to female ratio was 2.8:1. The type of acid was known only in 20 (43%) patients, the commonest being formic acid (41%). The average TBSA burnt was 14.6% in acid assaults, and the commonly involved areas were the face (93%), chest (65%), and upper limbs (64%). Mortality was 4.34%. Excision and grafting were required in 20 (43.4%) patients. Only 18 (39%) were attending rehabilitation. Acid burns in Sri Lanka commonly occur due to assaults, with a distinctive pattern of skin and body involvement. Management and rehabilitation require a multidisciplinary approach to prevent deformity and disability. These cases demonstrate poor compliance with rehabilitation. Language: en |