[ Study of electrical injuries in Emam Reza burn center of Mashhad]

ABSTRACT

Electrical injuries currently remain a world-wide problem. Electrical burn injuries account for fewer than 5% of admissions [reported range 3-9%] to major burn centers. Electrical injuries are arbitrarily divided into high voltage [>1000 V], low voltage [<1000 V], lightening strikes, and electric arc. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms, complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with electrical injuries. This descriptive study was done from 2002 to 2006 in burn department of Imam Reza hospital of Mashhad. 132 patients with electrical injuries were admitted to the burn center. Collected data included age, gender, etiology, burn size, hospital stay, amputation of limb and mortality. Data was gathered in a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. Of 5875 acute burn admissions during a 5-year period, 132 patients [2.4%] had electrical burn injuries. Their mean age was 26 years [range2-63 years]. Ninety-seven percent [128 patients] were male, and the extent of burn ranged from 1% to 80% TBSA [mean, 13.8% TBSA]. High-voltage electricity caused 75.7% [100 patients] of the electrical injuries, 23.5% [31 patients] were caused by low-voltage currents and 0.75% [1 patient] by lightening. Twenty six patients [19.7%] required one or more amputations. Six patients [4.5%] died. Electrical burn injuries continue to be a serious problem of modern society. Climbing power poles is the most common mechanism for high-voltage injury. Special consideration is required to prevent this type of injury in our region