Citation

Maghsoudi H, Adyani Y, Ahmadian N. J. Burn Care Res. 2007; 28(2): 255-261.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Burn Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/BCR.0B013E318031A11C

PMID

17351442

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms, complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with electrical injuries. Of 5053 acute burn admissions during a 5-year period, 202 patients (4%) had electrical burn injuries. Their mean age was 27.5 years (range, 3-71 years). Ninety-eight percent were male, and the extent of burn ranged from 1% to 70% TBSA (mean, 10.5 +/- 10.7% TBSA). High-voltage electricity caused 54% of the electrical injuries. Forty-two percent were caused by low-voltage currents and 4% by lightning. A total of 217 surgical procedures were performed on 202 patients Fifteen patients (7.4%) required amputation. All patients who had abnormal electrocardiograms underwent cardiac monitoring. Four had cardiac complications. Mean hospital stay was 13.9 +/- 14.6 days (range, 1-90). Four patients (2%) died. Electrical burn injuries continue to be a serious problem of modern society. Climbing power poles is the most common mechanism for high-voltage injury. Special consideration is required to prevent this type of injury in our region.

Language: en