Successful treatment of a case of severe electrical burns with heart and lung injuries.
A patient sustained high-voltage electrical burns with third-degree burns over 35.5% of his body surface, which included a large direct wound on the left chest wall, exposing the heart. The heart and lungs were severely injured. Subsequently, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, and respiratory failure developed. He was successfully treated with fluid resuscitation, antibiotics, drainage of the pericardium and pleural cavities, early removal of necrotic tissue, skin grafting, and reconstruction of the chest wall with a 13 x 27-cm delay-flap, as well as a number of supportive measures. The patient gradually recovered and was discharged in 6 months.
Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou People's Republic of China.
Ye-Yang
YY
Li
Liang
L
Min
Jun
J
Huang
Jin-Lun
JL
Wang
Li-Ren
LR
Jiao
D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications*; D004231:Diuresis; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006321:Heart; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy