Citation

Jiwani AZ, Williams JF, Rizzo JA, Chung KK, King BT, Cancio LC. Int. J. Burns Trauma 2017; 7(1): 1-5.

Affiliation

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, e-Century Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

28123861

Abstract

E-cigarettes are typically lithium-ion battery-operated devices that simulate smoking by heating a nicotine-solution into a vapor that the user inhales. E-cigarette use is becoming rapidly popular as an alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. This report describes an emerging problem associated with e-cigarettes, consisting of 10 thermally injured patients seen at a single burn center over a 2-year period from 2014 to 2016. Our cohort was comprised mainly of young adults who sustained mixed partial and full thickness burns as a result of e-cigarette-related explosions. In many documented scenarios, a malfunctioning or over-heated battery is the cause. Our data support the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers and the general public of the potential harms of e-cigarette use, modification, storage, and charging.

Language: en

Keywords

Electronic cigarette; burns; e-cigarette; lithium-ion battery