Multiple lacerations in a pregnant woman caused by spontaneously exploding shower screen glass.
Injuries caused by glass occur frequently, in particular in children, and make up an estimated 3% to 5% of all emergency visits, most frequently involving lacerations of hands, feet, and face. About 30% to 40% of glass injuries occur at home and often involve so-called architectural glass or bottles and glass containers. Accidents reported in association with showering mostly refer to falls or scalding by hot water. However, an increasing number of shower screens are made of tempered glass, which may potentially brake. Such injuries may be potentially severe, causing laceration of extremity arteries; requiring hospitalization or outpatient treatment for injuries; causing absence from work. These injuries are likely underreported in the medical literature but could have potential medicolegal consequences for the patient. We report a case of multiple lacerations developed in a third-trimester pregnant woman caused by the spontaneous shattering of a shower screen glass and discuss the apparent unawareness to this potential hazard in the scientific literature.
Søreide
Kjetil
K
Department of Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, N-4068 Stavanger, Norway. ksoreide@mac.com
Søreide
Annbjørg Hegelstad
AH
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications