Electrical burns and their treatment in a tertiary hospital in Albania

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The electrical current burns represent a very aggressive pathology that leaves many functional and aesthetic consequences. AIM: To evaluate the epidemiology of electrical burn injury and its associated complications and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Demographic data, aetiology, burn percentage and other measures related to electrical burn injury of 33 electrical burn patients in a tertiary hospital during the years 2015-2017. RESULTS: The mean age of patients is 31 (± 8.3) years old with a predominance of males (94%). The vast majority of injuries occurred at work (p < 0.01), superior extremities were more affected with hand (21.2%) and fingers (18.2%) being the main point of contact (p < 0.01). Muscular fasciotomy was performed in all patients who were treated surgically (n = 27), amputation was performed in 11 (40.7%) of cases, but amputated sites were more than the number of patients affected. Myoglobinuria (39.4%), cardio-respiratory distress (12.1%) contusion cerebri (6.1%), were the complication encountered in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Electrical burn injuries are still amongst the highest accident-related morbidities. Educating the population about the dangers and hazards associated with improper use of electrical devices and instruments is imperative.