Treatment approaches of electrical injuries

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in prehospital care, admission characteristics, burn intensive care, surgery and outcomes in patients requiring admission to a burn intensive care unit. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 31 patients, who were hospitalized within the Clinical Hospital of Orthopedics and Traumatology in the period 2015-2019. The data analysis was carried out on the applied method of surgical treatment, the associated postoperative complications, antibiotic therapy applied, etc. Results: 27 out of the total number of patients underwent necrectomy and extensive wound debridement surgery in the first hours upon admission. 14 patients required additional decompression incisions in the underlying skin and fascia. 4 patients out of the total number presented visible signs of carbonization on the affected areas upon admission, therefore they were subjected to an emergency amputation. Out of 27 patients classified as “delayed emergency” cases, 13 patients were subjected to amputation of the corresponding segments. Conclusions: Electrical injuries are a severe cause of disability, as well as a challenging issue for reconstructive surgery, which is concerned with restoring the damaged structures with prosthetic amputation abutments, therefore improving the aesthetic and psychological appearance of the patients.