Electrical Burns and Their Treatment in a Tertiary Hospital in Albania

Gentian Zikaj; Gezim Xhepa; Nardi Kola; Sokol Isaraj

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.206

Authors

Gentian Zikaj Institute of Public Health - Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 80 Aleksander Moisiu Str, Tirana
Gezim Xhepa Department of Morphology, Clinic of Plastic and Burn Surgery, University Hospital Center â€œMother Teresaâ€, Faculty of Medicine, Tirana
Nardi Kola Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery, UHC Mother Tereza, Rruga e Dibres Nr 370, Tirana
Sokol Isaraj Service of Burns and Plastic Surgery, UHC Mother Tereza, Rruga e Dibres Nr 370, Tirana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2018.206

Keywords:

Electric burns, Upper extremity, Complications, Treatment, Fasciotomy

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 (Â± 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.

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