The Management of Pediatric Steam Burn Caused by Electric Rice-cooker

Oh, Sung Kyoon; Lee, Jong Wook; Oh, Suk Joon; Jang, Young Chul

Abstract

The steam burn caused by electric rice-cooker is a unique mode of burn injury in Korea. This type of burn injury is characterized by first, a predilection for the volar aspect of the hand in toddlers younger than 2 years old age second, The depth of burns are normally deep second degree to third degree and usually need operation at the time of injury, third, Flexion contractures of multiple finger joints and web space contracture are common sequelae. We hypothesized that primary FTSG would give more reliable results and eliminate the late reconstructive procedures. Between Jan. 1997 and Jan. 2002, 65 patients underwent primary FTSG, and the results of this primary FTSG group were compared with 124 patients who were treated with STSG(79/124, 63.7%) or by conservative management(45/124, 36.3%), and readmitted for the correction of hand deformities between Sep.1995 and Sep.1999. In the primary FTSG group, 9.2%(6/65) of mild web contractures and 6.1% (4/65) of finger joints contractures were documented and one patient was received the reconstructive procedure during a follow up period of 9.7+/-6.3 months. In 124 patients of the primary STSG or conservative group, the mean time interval to reoperation was 8.9+/-4.0 months and all patients received FTSG for correction of late hand deformities. In a retrospective study of the primary STSG group, 42 of 53 patients(79.2%) received reconstructive procedure. In this report, we propose that primary FTSG may be a reliable method for the treatment of this more severe type of acute burn in pediatric patients.