| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 22
| Issue : 1 | Page : 104-108 |
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A review of 5 years experience in management of electrical injuries
Smitha S Segu, Vijay Jaganathan, Amaresh V Biradar, Shankarappa Mudukappa
Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Smitha S Segu
Department of Plastic Surgery, MBCC, 1st Floor, Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru - 560 002, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0971-653X.147018
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Introduction: Electrical injuries represent a special type of thermal injury, with a patho physiology depending on the voltage, current flow and resistance of the skin. Electrical injuries can produce significant morbidity and long-term sequelae. Aims and Objectives: This study is a comprehensive institutional review of database of patients with electrical injuries, from initial resuscitation through final impairment ratings. Materials and Methods: The study period was for 5 years from January 2008 to December 2012. All Patients admitted in burns ward with electrical injury are included in the study. A proforma was used to collect details. Procedures needed, their timing, final impairment ratings, and return to work were recorded. The results are quantified in terms of incidence of various complications incidence of amputations, mortality rate, disability incidence, etc. Result and Analysis: Electrical injuries can produce significant morbidity despite relatively small burn sizes. Electrical injuries occur in young males and leads to high incidence of upper extremity amputations, resulting in long period of unemployment and extensive new job training and rehabilitation. Patients require early operative procedures for prevention of further injury. Timely reconstructive surgery may improve final function and return to productivity. Work site accident, which is an important cause is largely preventable. |
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