title: Electrical burns; pathophysiology and complications.
abstract: The authors review the pathophysiology and complications of electrical injuries. Such injuries can be categorized into direct electrical injuries, arc burns and flame burns. Each has a distinct appearance and prognosis. Nine patients with electrical injuries were admitted to the Toronto General Hospital over the 5-year period 1973 to 1978. All were men and the average age was 33 years. Five patients required amputation. In one patient a convulsive disorder developed 3 weeks after injury. One patient demonstrated peripheral nerve injury with complete axonal lesions of the right median and ulnar nerves; there was progressive full return of nerve function over 12 months. Direct electrical injury to nerves is usually transient and return of function can be expected unless there has been a concomitant thermal or mechanical injury.
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology