Role of Early Fasciotomy and Skin Cover in the Management of Acute Electrical Burns of the Upper Limbs - A Prospective Case Series

Background: Electrical burn injuries are still amongst the highest accident-related morbidities. Aim: To assess the demographic profile as well as to study outcomes of early fasciotomy in salvage acute electrical burns involving upper limbs. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective case series study conducted in Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Secunderabad, from January 2020 to January 2022. Total 20 study subjects were evaluated. Electrical burn injury was assessed at the time of admission. Data was analyzed by using coGuide software, V.1.01. Results: In the study population, 55% belonged to age group of 30 years. Male predominance with 75% compared to female. Accidents 40% were major cause of injury. In majority, 65% of the cases fasciotomies were done within 48 hrs of electrical burn injuries. Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that younger generation is more prone to electrical burn injuries and males were majorly affected. Unsafe work areas and accidents are main reasons for injuries. High voltage affected the study population compared to low voltage. Amputations were required in fingers and below elbow. Early fasciotomy, repeated debridement's, definitive skin cover (SSG/flap) have helped in reducing the morbidity and improving the quality of life of the patient.

Influencing factors of blood use in burn patients during hospitalization: A retrospective analysis / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To explore the influencing factors of blood transfusion in burn patients during hospitalization, so as to provide references for the development of individualized blood transfusion strategies. 【Methods】 116 cases of flame burns and 46 cases of high-voltage burns from Jan 2015 to Jan 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The gender, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), burn surface area, burn depth, burn site, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative flow, number of operations, hospital stays, blood transfusion amount, whether complicated with inhalation injury, stress ulcer, amalgamative infection, hypertension, diabetes, cardio-related diseases, abnormal liver and kidney function and hypoalbuminemia in those two groups were statistically analyzed. 【Results】 During hospitalization, the mean blood volume of flame burn cases was (29.26±26.18)U, significantly higher than high-voltage burn cases as (13.26±10.32)U. The mean hemoglobin concentration (g/L) before blood transfusion of flame burn cases was (91.49±15.11)g/L, significantly higher than high-voltage burn cases as (81.70±14.49)g/L. There were statistically significant differences in gender, BMI, burn surface area, burn depth and burn site between flame burn cases and high-voltage burn cases (P<0.05). The average volume of blood transfusion during hospitalization was significantly affected by such factors as large burn area, trunk involvement, total intraoperative blood loss ≥2 000 mL, number of operations ≥6 times, hospital stay≥100 days, hypertension, cardio-related diseases, abnormal liver and kidney function, hypoproteinemia and so on (P<0.05), among which the total amount of intraoperative blood loss had the most significant effect on the flame burn patients (P<0.05), and the burn site had the most significant effect on the high voltage burn patients (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Large burn area, deep burn depth, important organs and/or large blood vessels involvement, number of operations ≥6, and the total intraoperative blood loss ≥2 000 mL contribute to the increase of average volume of blood transfusion. The hypertension, cardio-related diseases, abnormal liver and kidney function, and hypoproteinemia were high risk factors for increased blood transfusion volume during hospitalization, which deserves great attention.

Colgajos de pedículo perforante en hélice para reconstrucción dearticulaciones mayores en secuelas de quemaduras / Perforator pedicled propeller flaps for big joins reconstruction in burns sequelaeperspective

Introducción: Las secuelas de quemadura juegan un papel fundamental en la recuperación del paciente quemado, ya que tiene una repercusión funcional y estética; para decidir el tratamiento de las contracturas cicatriciales, se necesita una evaluación cuidadosa y una clasificación de las contracturas por sitio, se debe explorar las articulaciones afectadas y notar los rangos de movilidad y las deformidades resaltando cualquier contractura cicatrizal y una vez que se establezca adecua-damente el tipo de secuela se tomara decisiones para orientar a un óptimo tratamiento. Los avances en el conocimiento de la anatomía vascular, en conjunto con el método de disección de colgajos "estilo libre", han permitido el desarrollo de los colgajos en hélice (propeller flap). Presentación de casos: Durante el período de un año (2018-2019) se presentaron seis casos de secuelas de quemaduras que comprometieron articulaciones mayores y que fueron tratadas con colgajo de pedículo perforante en hélice. La edad de los pacientes se ubicó entre 5 a 60 años con una mediana de 29 años con secuelas de quemaduras. Un caso con infección de sitio quirúrgico y seis sin complicaciones. El tiempo quirúrgico entre 120 a 170 min, la estancia hospitalaria tuvo una me-diana de 19 días (rango 6 a 55días). El diámetro del colgajo fue entre 24cm2 y 84cm2, con diferentes diseños lobulado (un caso), bilobulado (tres casos), tetralobulado (dos casos); permitiendo que el defecto secundario se cierre de forma directa en cinco de ellos y en un caso se colocara injerto de piel. Discusión: La literatura científica provee evidencia de las ventajas al utilizar colgajos en hélice por la capacidad de recons-trucción del tejido en un procedimiento de una sola etapa, logrando obtener resultados similares que ofrecen los colgajos libres microvascularizados.Conclusiones: El colgajo en hélice mejora las retracciones en las articulaciones mayores devolviendo el rango de movili-dad, preserva el músculo subyacente, proporciona una menor morbilidad del sitio donante.

Introduction: The sequelae of burns play a fundamental role in the recovery of the burned patient, since they have a func-tional and aesthetic impact; To decide on the treatment of scar contractures, a careful evaluation and classification of the contractures by site is needed, the affected joints should be explored and ranges of motion and deformities noted highli-ghting any scar contractures and once the type of sequel, decisions will be made to guide a better treatment. Advances in the knowledge of vascular anatomy, together with the "freestyle" flap dissection method, have allowed the development of propeller flaps. Case presentation: During a one-year period (2018-2019), there were six cases of burn sequelae that compromised major joints and that were treated with a pedicled propeller flaps. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 60 years with a median of 29 years with burn sequelae. One case with surgical site infection and six without complications. The surgery time between 120 and 170 min, the hospital stay had a median of 19 days (range 6 to 55 days). The diameter of the flap was between 24cm2and 84cm2, with different designs: lobed (one case), bilobed (three cases), tetralobed (two cases); considering that the secon-dary defect is closed directly in five of them and in one case a skin graft is placed. Discussion: The scientific literature provides evidence of the advantages of using pedicled propeller flaps due to the ability to reconstruct the tissue in a single-stage procedure, achieving similar results as those offered by microvascularized free flaps.Conclusions: The pedicled propeller flaps improves retractions in major joints, restoring the range of motion, preserving the underlying muscle, and providing less donor site morbidity.

Free Flow-through Anterolateral Thigh Flaps for Wrist High-tension Electrical Burns: A Retrospective Case Series / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The objective of this report was to demonstrate the clinical application of free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps for the treatment of high-tension electrical wrist burns.@*Methods@#We collected the data of 8 patients with high-tension electrical wrist burns admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. The clinical and pathological data were extracted from electronic hospital medical records. We obtained follow-up information through clinic visits.@*Results@#The injury sites for all 8 patients were the wrists, specifically 5 right and 3 left wrists, all of which were on the flexor side. Five patients had ulnar artery embolism necrosis and patency, with injury to the radial artery. Two patients had ulnar and radial arterial embolization and necrosis. The last patient had ulnar arterial embolization and necrosis with a normal radial artery. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 12 cm × 9 cm to 25 cm × 16 cm. The diagnoses for the eight patients were type II to type III high-tension electrical wrist burns. Free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps (combined with great saphenous vein transplantation if necessary) were used to repair the wounds. The prognosis for all patients was good after six months to one year of follow-up.@*Conclusion@#Treating wrist types II and III high-tension electrical burns is still challenging in clinical practice. The use of free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps (combined with great saphenous vein transplantation if necessary) to repair the wound and to restore the blood supply for the hand at the same time is a good choice for treating severe wrist electrical burns.

Queimaduras elétricas por alta voltagem: cinco anos de análise epidemiológica e tratamento cirúrgico atualizado / High-voltage electrical burns: five-year epidemiological analysis and updated surgical treatment

INTRODUÇÃO: Avaliar cinco anos de análise epidemiológica e tratamento cirúrgico atualizado das queimaduras elétricas por alta voltagem. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal, no Centro de Terapia de Queimados Dr. Oscar Plaisant, do Hospital Federal do Andaraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, no período de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2014. Foi aplicado um formulário nos prontuários dos 38 pacientes incluídos no estudo, a fim de avaliar as variáveis definidas. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 38 pacientes por queimadura elétrica de alta voltagem, sendo 95% dos casos do sexo masculino, com faixa etária entre 21-42 anos. O local de ocorrência mais frequente foi o trabalho, em 55,3%. A porcentagem de SCQ variou de 1-60%. A parte do corpo mais acometida foi a mão esquerda, em 55,26%. O preparo pré-cirúgico para autoenxertia foi necessário em 34,21%, sendo a média de tempo transcorrido 37,5 dias, o tipo de tratamento cirúrgico foi desbridamento seriado sob anestesia geral em 100%, autoenxertia em 31,6%, amputação em 18,4% e fasciotomia em 5,3% dos pacientes. A taxa de óbito foi de 0%. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo observou que as queimaduras elétricas ocorrem mais frequentemente em adultos jovens no local de trabalho, portanto, é necessário desenvolver políticas de sensibilização para a segurança no local de trabalho. Apesar da gravidade da lesão, pacientes com suporte clínico adequado e avaliação cirúrgica precoce têm mais probabilidade de sobreviver, mesmo com altas taxas de amputação, confirmando a necessidade de mais pesquisas sobre a eletroporação.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of a 5-year epidemiological analysis and updated surgical treatment of high-voltage electrical burns. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Center of Burn Treatment Dr. Oscar Plaisant, Federal Hospital of Andaraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from January 2009 to December 2014. A form was applied to the medical records of 38 patients included in the study in order to assess the defined variables. RESULTS: In total, 38 patients with high-voltage burns were evaluated, 95% of whom were men aged between 21 and 42 years. The most frequent place of occurrence was the workplace in 55.3% of cases. The percentage of burned total body surface area ranged from 1% to 60%. The most affected part of the body was the left hand in 55.26% cases. Presurgical preparation for self-grafting was necessary in 34.21% subjects, and the mean time elapsed was 37.5 days. The type of surgical treatment was serial debridement under general anesthesia in 100% of the patients, self-grafting in 31.6%, amputation in 18.4%, and fasciotomy in 5.3%. The mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that electrical burns occur most often in young adults in the workplace; therefore, policies should be developed to raise safety awareness in the workplace. Despite the severity of the injury, patients with adequate clinical support and early surgical evaluation are more likely to survive, even with high rates of amputation, confirming the need for more research on electroporation.

Padronização do tratamento cirúrgico do trauma elétrico na fase aguda / Standardization of surgical treatment of acute electrical trauma

INTRODUÇÃO: As queimaduras elétricas correspondem de 5 a 15% dos casos de acidentes com queimaduras. A maioria está associada a acidentes do trabalho, nos quais predominam as lesões com alta voltagem (acima de 1.000 Volts), em pacientes do sexo masculino. As taxas de mortalidade variam de 2 a 15%, nos mais diversos centros de queimados. O objetivo é revisar padronização das etapas cirúrgicas na fase aguda de desbridamento (primeiros 15 dias) pela comparação de dosagem de creatofosfoquinase, hidratação venosa e fotografias para a aplicação de uma rotina de etapas cirúrgicas. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, prospectivo, realizado em um hospital público da cidade de Fortaleza, CE, entre julho de 2013 a dezembro de 2015. A população foi composta por adultos jovens, entre 15 e 50 anos, de ambos os sexos, vítimas de queimaduras por choque elétrico, com lesão de terceiro grau, no mínimo muscular. RESULTADOS: Foram realizados 12 procedimentos cirúrgicos de amputações nos 15 pacientes do estudo (60%). Seis pacientes não sofreram amputação (40%). Um paciente sofreu três procedimentos de amputação no mesmo membro (pododáctilo, pé e coxa esquerdos) e outro, duas amputações em membros superiores distintos. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento na fase aguda do choque elétrico deve incluir uma imediata e adequada reposição líquida venosa, associada com procedimentos cirúrgicos de desbridamentos e de amputações, o mais precoce possível, em etapas com intervalos de 48 a 72 horas.

INTRODUCTION: Electrical burns are responsible for 5% to 15% of cases of burn accidents. The majority is associated with workplace accidents, in which high-voltage injuries (>1,000 V) predominate in male patients. The mortality rates vary from 2% to 15% in different burn centers. The objective is to review the standardization of surgical steps in the acute phase of debridement (the first 15 days) by comparison of creatine phosphokinase levels, intravenous hydration, and photographs to implement routine surgical stages. METHODS: This was a quantitative, prospective study performed in a public hospital in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, between July 2013 and December 2015. The population was composed of young adults between 15 and 50 years, of both sexes, who experienced electrical burns, with third-degree injuries and muscle involvement. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients in the study, 9 (60%) patients underwent 13 surgical amputation procedures and 6 (40%) patients did not undergo amputation. One patient underwent three amputation procedures in the same limb (toe, foot, and thigh) and another patient underwent two amputations in the upper limbs. CONCLUSION: Treatment in the acute phase of electrical shock must include immediate and adequate intravenous fluid replacement, along with surgical procedures of debridement and amputations, as early as possible, in steps with intervals of 48 to 72 hours.

Effect of monocyte-secreted VEGF induced by electrical burn serum on monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To observe the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted by monocytes cultured with electrical burn serum, and to explore the effect of VEGF on monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.METH-ODS:The electrical burn serum of the rat was prepared.The normal serum from the rats without treating electric current was also collected for control.The contents of VEGF and its soluble receptor sFlt-1 in electrical burn group were determined by double-antibody sandwich ELISA.THP-1 cells were randomly divided into normal serum group and electrical burn serum group.The contents of VEGF and sFlt-1 in the culture supernatants were measured by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. THP-1 cells were also randomly divided into another 4 groups:normal serum group, electrical burn serum group, normal serum +inhibitor group and electrical burn serum +inhibitor group.THP-1 cells, which were incubated with the serum for 3 h and 6 h, were labeled with calcein-AM and then were added into the well with monolayer of endothelial cell line EA.hy926 to detect monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.RESULTS:The levels of serum VEGF of the rats with electrical burns were significantly increased, the levels of serum sFlt-1 were significantly decreased as compared with the controls. The levels of VEGF secreted by THP-1 cells cultured with electrical burn serum were significantly increased, the levels of sFlt-1 were decreased correspondingly.Electrical burn serum enhanced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, sFlt-1 inhibi-ted the adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells.CONCLUSION:The monocytes exposed to the electrical burn serum secrete VEGF, which enhance the adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells.Blockage of VEGF activity may effectively inhibit monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.

Management of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection of Endogenous Origin in an Electrical Burns Patient - A Case Report.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a major problem and plays a vital role in nosocomial infections. Management of MRSA infection becomes cumbersome in healthcare settings due to its extension of resistance towards much class of antibiotics and it is purely based on antibiotic susceptibility. Nasal carriage of MRSA is a recognized risk factor for subsequent endogenous infection. We hereby report a case of MRSA infection in burns patient of endogenous origin and recovered by antibiotic therapy with 2% mupirocin. MRSA is frequent confront in the burn’s ward where the patients have more colonized and infected than other group of patients. Disturbances in the skin barrier and immunological variations are recorded among burn patients. Surveillance of microbial entities, its epidemiology and following the strict infection control practices lessen the frequency of such infection but very dangerous to control the outbreak situations.

Secuelas posquemaduras en un paciente doble conductor de la electricidad industrial / Post burn sequels in a patient who is double conductor of industrial electricity

Paciente del sexo masculino de 43 años de edad, con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial, que hace contacto con los cables de alta tensión (33 000 V); el sitio de entrada de la electricidad se produjo por dos regiones, lo cual causó lesiones del 30,80 % de superficie corporal quemada y pronóstico de vida crítico; las zonas de salida fueron ambos calcáneos. Se decidió ingreso del paciente en Terapia Intensiva de Caumatología. Por la complejidad de las lesiones de las puertas de entrada, se amputó de urgencia la mano izquierda y a las 48 h el dedo pulgar de la mano derecha. Por la profundidad de las quemaduras, se requirió varias intervenciones: amputaciones, necrectomías y autoinjertos de piel. La estadía hospitalaria fue de 125 días. Hubo daño irreversible de todos los nervios de la mano derecha, con impotencia funcional total. La inmediatez de la atención especializada por un equipo interdisciplinario salva la vida del paciente, con secuelas estéticas y funcionales. La electricidad produce lesiones severas que requieren de un manejo integral y cuando la puerta de entrada es múltiple, se incrementa la complejidad del caso.

A 43 years old male patient with antecedents of high blood pressure that makes contact with high voltage cables (33 000 V) was taken to hospital. The input site of electricity was produced in two regions of the body, causing lesions of a 30,80 % of burned body surface and a critical prognosis for his life; being the calcanei the output sites. It was decided to admit the patient to the Intensive Care Burn Unit. Due to the complexity of the lesions in the input sites, his left hand was amputated as an emergency treatment and 48 hours later, the thumb of his right hand was amputated, too. Because of the depth of burns, several interventions were required: amputations, necrectomies, and skin autografts. He was in hospital for 125 days. He had irreversible damage of all the nerves of the right hand, with total functional impotence. The immediacy of the specialized attention given by a multidisciplinary staff can save a patient's life, leaving functional and aesthetic sequels. Electricity produces severe lesions that require a comprehensive management and, when the input site is multiple, the complexity of the case is higher.

Clinical significance of urine myoglobin in high voltage electrical burns.

Electrical burns constitute a relatively large proportion of burns . Electrical current causes complex, unprecedented and unpredicted injuries. Serious tissue damage and mortality is caused by high voltage among all types of electrical burns . Myoglobinuria induced acute renal failure is a potentially lethal consequence of electrical injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of urine myoglobin in the early prediction of acute renal failure in electrical burns. Study includes 21 patients of high volatage electrical burns underwent four different Renal parameters i.e blood urea, serum creatinine, serum potassium and urine myoglobin levels. Blood urea , and serum potassium levels were deranged in five patients of high voltage electrical burns who went into acute renal failure. Whereas urine myoglobin levels were deranged in all twenty one patients with high voltage electrical burns.

Investigation of Artery Rupture Related to Electrical Burns

PURPOSE: To investigate the arterial rupture, we evaluated the 15 victims of high tension injury. METHOD: The review included clinical course of injured limbs (entrance vs exit), site of spontaneous ruptures (subeschar: G1 vs zone of ischemia: G2), causes (spontaneous vs iatrogenic: G3, inflammatory vs associated thrombi), time and consequences of rupture (site of ligature, vascular manipulation). RESULT: 1) There were 18 spontaneous (G1, G2) and 4 iatrogenic ruptures (G3). 2) The G1 were 8 in 5 patients on the 19.6 +/- 8.1 (6-29)th post burn day: princeps pollicis/dorsalis indicis, dorsalis pollicis/superficial radial, radial, ulnar/radial and posterior tibial artery. The G2 were 10 in 8 patients on the 18.4 +/- 7.2 (9-31)th post burn day: brachial, ulnar, radial, ulnar/radial and branch/trunk of popliteal artery. 3) The G3 were superficial femoral/superficial femoral (at clamping site/anastomosis), subclavian (at clamping site) and princeps pollicis (at ligature) artery by inflammation 2-8 days after surgery. 4) The initial wound of limbs or fasciotomy cannot predict the possible ruptures. 5) The entrance had more ruptures than exit. 6) Five patients had multiple ruptures 1-13 days after first episode (3 at different, 2 at the same limb). 7) There was no difference of rupture time between G1 and G2. The G2 occurred at 2-7 cm apart from burn eschar. 8) Nine among 18 spontaneous ruptures were caused by inflammation. The rest 9 thrombotic ruptures occurred at the arterial wall over (2), at the margin (6) and 2 cm near (1) the thrombi. There was no time difference between inflammatory and thrombotic rupture [19.2 +/- 7.2 (9-31) vs 19.0 +/- 8.0 (6-29) days]. 9) There was no rupture after proximal 2-4 cm ligature at superficial arteries. The thrombi were formed finally in superficial femoral artery at 9 cm proximal to the rupture site. CONCLUSION: We recommend that timely decision to amputate must be made to reduce spontaneous ruptures. Also careful attention should be paid to select the safe distance, at least 10 cm in deep arterial injures, in vascular procedures.

Electrosurgical Burns at EKG Electrode: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Electrosurgery can pose some risk to patients. Recently we experienced a case of accidental burning. Nine year-old patient received burn at the site of the ECG electrode attached to the right subclavian area during an electrosurgical operation. Even though the cutting and coagulation powers were not so much high, inappropriate earth with the fault of electrosurgical unit might lead to the generation of heat. To avoid recurrence, every electrical instruments should inspected, tested and required to be fault-free. Properly functioning surgical and monitoring units must be used.

The Roles of Technetium99m Stannous Pyrophosphate Scintigraphy and Plethysmography in High-Votage Electrical Burns

High-voltage electrical burns are associated with deep muscle injuries. A hidden, deep muscle injury has no specific clinical manifestations, and undetected muscle injury sometimes leads to septisemia or major amputations. From January to December 1996, 52 burned patients were admitted to the burn center. We evaluated their laboratory findings and the results of diagnostic tools. The items of study were urine, EKG, CK-MB, CPK, LDH, SGOT, SGPT, PYP scanning, Plethysmography, and arteriography. The presence of myoglobinuria and the increase in SGOT and SGPT two weeks after the injury were related to the extent of the burns. The PYP scanning was a very sensitive and useful tool for detecting hidden muscle injuries. The arteriographic findings were unsatisfactory for deciding the amputation level. The PCR findings converting to obstructive type were helpful in predicting possibile amputations.