Methamphetamine laboratory explosions: a new and emerging burn injury.
The proliferation of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories (meth labs) as a result of the growing popularity of the drug has resulted in an increasing incidence of burn injuries associated with laboratory accidents. We undertook this study to characterize these injuries. Fifteen consecutive patients were identified and case-matched by age and TBSA to 45 control subjects. Most meth lab patients were men, Caucasian, unemployed, and positive for polysubstance abuse. Resuscitation requirements were 1.8 times greater in these patients. There was a higher incidence of inhalational injury corresponding to higher intubation and tracheostomy rate and longer ventilator days among meth lab patients. The rate of nosocomial pneumonia, skin graft loss, and mortality were not different between the two groups. Meth lab injury is unique and requires more critical care resources. It also is associated with lack of insurance coverage and poor follow-up after injury. This injury has a significant impact not only on patients but also on the healthcare system.
Santos
Ariel P
AP
Department of Surgery, Epidemiology and Statistics Training (CREST) Program, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
Wilson
Ashley K
AK
Hornung
Carlton A
CA
Polk
Hiram C
HC
Rodriguez
Jorge L
JL
Franklin
Glen A
GA
D000059:Accidents; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D003415:Crime; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004522:Educational Status; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation; D017678:Sex Distribution; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008694:Methamphetamine