Silent blast in oral cavity: is the car battery innocuous?
Low voltage energy source is not free from danger. An exceptionally rare and peculiar mode of facial blast injury is reported. The blast took place silently in the mouth of a 15-year-old boy, due to short-circuiting of wires connected to a12-volt car battery while peeling off insulation with the intent of running a musical instrument. Airway compromise due to soft tissue injury produced further problem during tracheostomy. Emergent airway management is discussed. Post-healing sequel resulted in loss of voice and prevented normal oral feeding. The case report emphasizes need for education to public in handling low voltage energy source.
Bhadani
Umesh Kumar
UK
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. umeshbhadani@yahoo.com
Tripathi
Mukesh
M
Ramraj
P N
PN
Singh
Ishwar
I
D000293:Adolescent; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries; D014139:Tracheostomy