title: Emergency treatment and early fluid resuscitation following electrical injuries.
abstract: Injuries caused by high-tension electrical current are rare, but pathophysiologically unique with destructive effects. As a form of thermal trauma, electrical injuries represent a connection of skin burns and deep tissue destruction unpredictable in its depth which mostly resembles a crush injury. Emergency treatment measures begin with the separation from the electrical contact if any and prompt transport to the nearest institution with all means for cardiorespiratory resuscitation and complete recovery. Resuscitation of the patient after electric shock continues then with fluid replacement using special formula modified for such cases, correction of acidosis and myoglobinuria and finally with escharotomy and fasciotomy which is most often necessary.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colić
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ristić
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jovanović
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000628:therapy; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009212:Myoglobinuria / Q000628:therapy; D009336:Necrosis; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012151:Resuscitation; D012774:Shock, Traumatic / Q000628:therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries
chemical_list: D015532:Rehydration Solutions