Citation

Dubien PY, Bertin-Maghit M, Gueugniaud PY, Bouchard C, Ould-Aoudia T, Petit P. Presse Med. (1983) 1996; 25(36): 1781-1785.

Vernacular Title

Brulures par electrisation: aspects epidemiologiques et therapeutiques.

Affiliation

Service d'Aide médicale urgente de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8991026

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: A retrospective study of patients with electrical burns was conducted to choose criteria for initial dispatching and establish a treatment protocol for out patient management. METHODS: The study included 67 patients injured by electrical current and admitted at Edouard Herriot Hospital Burns Unit between January 1st 1990 and January 1st 1993. RESULTS: Low-voltage currents (< 1000 Volts) responsible for serious and immediate cardio-vascular diseases occurred in domestic accidents, mostly with children. High-voltage current (> 1000 Volts) responsible for deep burn injuries occurred in accidents at work and mostly with adults. Twenty-two were outpatients and 45 were admitted at once. Two died on admission, 24 were hospitalized less than five days, 11 required repeated surgical treatments and a long stay at hospital, and 8 were severely burned and were admitted to the intensive-care unit. Two required continuous venovenous hemodialysis for three weeks. Morbidity of the last three groups was nil, morbidity remained high in term of functional and aesthetic after-effects. CONCLUSION: Information on prevention of electrical burns should be intensified.

Language: fr