Citation

Yu Y, Sun R, Gu J, Tai N, Zhang Y. J. Burn Care Res. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Wuxi Children's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Burn Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1093/jbcr/irz136

PMID

31410460

Abstract

A hydrofluoric acid (HFA) burn is a severe condition with the characteristics of acute onset, rapid progression, and high complication and mortality rates. Emergency and systemic treatments are especially important for major HFA burns. The author presents the case of a 46-year-old man burned by the spillage of HFA at a high concentration (45-50%). He suffered burns over 30% of his total body area (5% deep partial-thickness burns and 25% third-degree burns). Debridement, tangential excision and electrolyte therapy were quickly performed for urgent treatment. Symptomatic treatment was sustained to address severe complications and recurrent injury. For successful management, the patient was stabilized, and he exhibited complete wound repair after 3 months. The author summarizes severe cases of HFA burns to emphasize the difficulty of treatment. The existing approved therapies and complications are discussed, and the significance of electrolyte disorders, especially hypocalcemia, is highlighted. The pathophysiology of HFA burns and recommendations for the treatment of HFA burns at different sites are presented to provide a relatively complete treatment guideline focused on electrolyte disorders.

© American Burn Association 2019. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Language: en

Keywords

Calcium gluconate; Chemical burns; Hydrofluoric acid