Bilateral upper extremity vascular injury as a result of a high-voltage electrical burn.
High-voltage electrical burns are rare but cause devastating injuries, resulting in potential limb loss and major morbidity and mortality. These injuries are more insidious than flame burns in that the extent of the injury is not obvious at first glance. Damage to underlying muscle, nerve, and vessels may occur, resulting in limb-threatening ischemia and delayed hemorrhage. The management of such injuries remains controversial and can be challenging for the vascular and reconstructive surgeon. We present a case of high-voltage electrical injury to bilateral upper extremities resulting in limb-threatening ischemia, review the literature on the management of such injuries, and propose an algorithm to guide the management of these devastating injuries.
Herrera
Fernando A
FA
UCSD Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92037, USA. fherrera00@yahoo.com
Hassanein
Aladdin H
AH
Potenza
Bruce
B
Dobke
Marek
M
Angle
Niren
N
D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012086:Reoperation; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017131:Thrombectomy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures