Contacts Burns Caused by Electric Pad

Kwon, Do Hyun; Ko, Jang Hyu; Hur, Gi Yeun; Seo, Dong Kook; Lee, Jong Wook; Choi, Jai Koo; Jang, Young Chul; Hahm, Moon Chol

Abstract

PURPOSE
The use of the Ondol, which is a traditional Korean floor heating system, has made the electric heating pad popular in Korea. Although the surface temperature of electric pads is around 45 degrees, rarely they can cause severe contact burns. Because an electric pad is usually used while sleeping, the skin could be exposed to heat and pressure for a prolonged period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of these types of burns and to advise caution in the use of electric heating pads.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of 58 cases identified from March 2007 to March 2012 at the Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital plastic surgery department. Collected data included sex, age, seasonal variation, distribution and extent of the burn, underlying disease, related factors, and treatment.
RESULTS
Patients (23 females and 10 males) were predominantly in their twenties, with an average age of 40.7 years (range, 14~83). The majority of the burns occurred during winter (51.5%). According to the patients' histories, sleeping in a drunken state was the most common associated factor, with taking hypnotics and lying under spinal anesthesia being the second and third factors, respectively. Eight patients had diabetes mellitus and four patients had hypoesthesia after spinal cord injury and cerebral stroke. The lower extremity was the most commonly involved site (42.4%), followed by the buttocks (33%). The extent burn areas accounted for less than 2% of the total body surface area. But deep second degree and third degree burns were sustained that required surgical intervention.
CONCLUSION
Unconsciousness and hypoesthesia were the primary factors that provoked contact burns related to the use of electrical pads. Although the percentage of body surface area burns is often small, the burns caused by electric pads can cause deep thermal injuries, necessitating the use of skin grafts and local flaps. These injuries could be prevented by taking precautions when using electric pads and by educating the public.