TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Cryogenic refrigerant burns: a rare occupational hazard
JO  - Workplace health and safety
A1  - Dash, Suvashis
A1  - Muthukumar, Vamseedharan
A1  - R, Rajkumar
A1  - Karki, Durga
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: Cryogenic burns induced by coolant gases used in refrigerators and air  conditioners are rarely encountered, despite the wide use of these gases. To date,  only a few cases have been reported in the literature. This study examined the  occupational circumstances leading to such injuries, relevant injury sites, types of  chemicals involved, and treatment measures. <br><br>METHODS: This study was conducted in a  tertiary burn center in India between March 2015 and March 2019. The demographic  details, chemicals involved, and burn regions and characteristics were analyzed. <br><br>FINDINGS: There were 15 burn cases all involving injury to the hand. All injuries  were managed initially with dressings and nonoperative management. One patient  required anti-edema therapy with limb elevation and fingertip debridement, while  another patient required skin grafting. All patients had satisfactory hand function  after treatment. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Cryogenic burn injuries caused  by refrigerants are rare, and their etiology varies considerably. Exposure time is  the primary factor that determines burn depth and severity; hence, reducing exposure  time is important in first aid. Our findings suggest that after exposure, the  patient should be treated in a specialized burn center. Adequate knowledge regarding  the pathophysiology of these types of burn injuries and their management is  necessary; otherwise, misjudgments in the treatment plan can lead to adverse  consequences.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2165-0799
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2165079920965539
ID  - ref1
ER  -