TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Electrical burns in adults JO - Acta chirurgiae plasticae A1 - Al-Benna, S. SP - 66 EP - 69 VL - 65 IS - 2 N2 - INTRODUCTION: Electrical burns account for up to 10% of burns admissions worldwide and are a potentially serious mechanism of injury. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology, presentation, management and complications of electrical burn injuries in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all adult patients with electrical burns admitted to a tertiary burns centre.

RESULTS: Eighty-two cases were identified. The mean age was 40 ± 2 years, 92.7% were males. The most common activities causing the injuries were work (39%) and do-it yourself activities (32%). A low voltage (< 1,000 W) power source was involved in 78% of cases. The mean total body surface area involved was 3 ± 0.3%. The head, hands, and other upper extremities were the body parts most frequently injured. The mean hospital stay was 2 ± 1days.

CONCLUSION: Electrical injury was an infrequent but potentially serious cause of injury in adults. Minor injuries were successfully managed non-operatively. Electrical burns in adults are mainly low voltage burns contracted by manual workers resulting in a flesh burn. Although rare, the loss of digits, neurological sequelae, cardiac arrhythmias and renal failure remain serious complications in a significant number of cases.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0001-5423 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.48095/ccachp202366 ID - ref1 ER -