Burns to the genitalia and the perineum.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a study to determine the treatment of perineal and genital burns, the results of therapy and the complications of such burns.


METHODS
A review of the records of 4,216 patients treated between 1981 and 1995 at the Burn Center of the Academic Surgical Center Stuivenberg, revealed 87 male and 30 female patients, 6 months to 86 years old who had associated burns to the perineum or genitalia. Mean burn size was 21% of the total body surface area. Causes of burn injury were scald in 55% of the cases, flame in 24%, chemical in 16% and others in 4%.


RESULTS
There were 16 deaths in this group (13.6%) but none was related to the perineal or genital burns. Of the 101 survivors 41% required Foley catheters but the catheters were indwelling during resuscitation only (range 1 to 99 days). Perineal and genital burns were treated by topical antimicrobials. Only 10 patients (9.9%) required split-thickness skin grafts. As late complication 2 patients had scar formation of the penile shaft, which was treated with multiple Z-plasties, and of the prepuce, which was treated by circumcision, respectively. In 1 patient, who presented with erectile dysfunction diagnostic evaluation was negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Conservative management of perineal and genital burns is recommended.
Michielsen
D
D
Academic Surgical Centre Stuivenberg, Antwerp, Belgium.
Van Hee
R
R
Neetens
C
C
LaFaire
C
C
Peeters
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005835:Genitalia / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries*