Citation

Tróchez-Sanchez JP, García-Perdomo HA. J. Burn Care Res. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, American Burn Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1093/jbcr/irad031

PMID

36882105

Abstract

Electrical trauma is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which have been reduced by improved medical care, as measured by the length of stay (LOS) as a marker for this population's quality of care. This paper will review the clinical and demographic characteristics, length of stay in the hospital, and variables related to patients with electrical burns. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a specialized burn unit in Southwest Colombia. Five hundred seventy-five electrical burn-related admissions from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed for the length of stay (LOS) and variables including patient-related (age, gender, marital status, education, occupation), location of the accident (domestic vs. labor-related), mechanism of trauma (voltage, direct contact, arch, flash, flame), clinical presentation (burn surface area, depth, single or multiple organ injury, secondary infection, abnormal labs), and treatment (surgical procedures, ICU admission). Univariate and bivariate analysis, with its 95% CI. We also performed a multiple logistic regression. LOS was correlated to males, age greater than 20 years, construction workers, high voltage injuries, severe burns by area and depth, infection, ICU admission and multiple surgical procedures or extremity amputation. LOS due to electrical injury was observed to be significantly associated with the following variables, carpal tunnel release (OR = 4.25, 95% CI 1.70-5.20); amputation (OR = 2.81, 95% CI 1.60-5.10); infection (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.30-5.20); site of infection, mainly wound (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.10-1.44); associated injury (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.00-3.24); work or domestic accident ( OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.00-3.32); aged 20-40 years (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.00-2.10); CPK (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.00-2.00); and third-degree burns (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.00-2.80). Risk factors for LOS secondary to electrical injury should be appropriately addressed. Prevention at high-risk workplaces is imperative. Mitigating the injury with appropriate management of infection and timely surgical interventions play an essential role in the successful treatment of these patients.

Language: en

Keywords

amputation; carpal tunnel release; Electrical injury; fasciotomies; high voltage; infection; third-degree burns