Experience of the treatment of severe electric burns on special parts of the body.
The treatment in these eight cases with severe electric burns on special parts of the body was successful. Our experience can be summarized as follows: (1) The role of the immediate measures including resuscitation at the scene of the accident cannot be understated. If the patient presents with a complex injury such as open pneumothorax, first aid should be provided immediately and then the patient should be transferred to a specialized treatment center. (2) General conditions such as the presence of shock, water-electrolyte balance, renal function, and others should be continuously monitored. (3) Antibiotics should be suitably administered and combined with antianaerobic drugs. (4) For different wound sites, different plans of treatment, including various immediate and delayed procedures, could be appropriate. In life-threatening cases such as exposed carotid artery, perforative injury of the chest wall, spinal cord damage, and others, first-stage repair using skin flap or myocutaneous flap must be performed after early debridement. For other wound sites, such as oral area and tongue, eye socket, and penis, second-stage reconstruction may be more suitable for better cosmetic appearance and function. (5) Adequate nutritional supply and early treatment of anemia may expedite wound healing.
Xu
X
X
Department of Burn and Reconstruction, Shanghai Power Hospital, China.
Zhu
W
W
Wu
Y
Y
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male