Electrical Burn Injury: A Five-Year Survey of ۶۸۲ Patients

Background: Electrical burn is less prevalent in comparison to other forms of burn injuries, however this type of injury is considered as one of the most devastating due to high morbidity and mortality. Understanding the epidemiologic pattern of electrical burns helps determine the contributing factors leading to this type of injury. Objectives: Epidemiologic studies on electrical burn are scarce in Iran. This study was conducted to evaluate electrical burn injury at our center. Materials and Methods: Demographic data, etiology, burn percentage and other measures related to electrical burn injury of ۶۸۲ electrical burn patients treated from ۲۰۰۷ to ۲۰۱۱ were collected and analyzed. Results: We assessed ۶۸۲ electrical burn patients (~۱۰.۸% of all burn patients); the mean age was ۲۹.۴ years and ۹۷.۸% were males. The mean hospital stay was ۱۸.۵ days and the mean burn extent was ۱۴.۴۳%. Severe morbidities caused ۱۷ (۲.۵%) deaths. Amputation was performed in ۱۶۲ cases. The most common amputation site was the fingers (۳۵%). Most victims were workers and employees and ۶۸.۵% of electrical burns occurred at their workplace; ۷۲% of electrical burns were due to high voltage electrical current (more than ۱۰۰۰ V). There was a correlation between voltage and amputation (P = ۰.۰۰۱) and also between voltage and fasciotomy (P = ۰.۰۳۳), but there was no correlation between voltage and mortality (P = ۰.۱۳۱) Conclusions: Electrical burn injuries are still amongst the highest accident-related morbidities and mortalities. Educating the population about the dangers and hazards associated with improper use of electrical devices and instruments is imperative.