title: Chemical assaults in Hong Kong: a 10-year review.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the patients admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital Burns Unit, Hong Kong between September 1991 and August 2001 following chemical assault. A total of 2319 burns were admitted during the study period of which 19 had been subjected to chemical assault. All victims sustained a burn injury to the head and neck area and 47% of victims' eyes were burnt. A total of 84% required surgical intervention. Where a reason for the attack was admitted most were due to relationship difficulties. This study has defined the victims of chemical assault in Hong Kong. At a time when the overall number of assaults in Hong Kong is at its lowest level for 5 years it is of concern that there appears to have been a recent increase in the number of chemical assaults in Hong Kong.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*