J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1973 Mar;8(1):19-28. 10.4055/jkoa.1973.8.1.19.

Clinical Observation in 171 Cases of Electrical Burn Patients

• Lee WK
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2463780
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1973.8.1.19

Abstract

During the past 11 years period from April, 1961 to March, 1972 171 cases of electrical burn patients were treated at Orthopedic Department of Han-Il Hospital. The author reviewed and discussed our clinical experience of electrical thermal injuries. Clinical analysis of these 171 cases of electrical burn patients was carried out and summarized as follows; 1) The majority of the patients ranged two to three decades of life(68.4%); The youngest 1 year old and oldest 53 years of age. Male were involved significantly more than female, the incidence being 163 cases (95.3%) and 8 cases. 2) Seasonal distribution showed more than about two third with 114 cases for rainy summer times and Autumn from May to October. 3) Among 171 cases of electrical burn patients, 131 patients (54.2%) were under 5% of body surface and 15 patients (11.3%) were over 20% of body surface. 4) In the regional distribution of burn wound, the upper extremity were 157(92.3%), 73(42.9%) in lower extremity, and 49 (28.9%) in other region. 5) Occupational distribution; The electrical line man and electrician were seen 136 cases (80%) which is two third of 171 patients, labor 12 cases(7%), 10 cases (5.9%) in painters, 8 cases (4.6%) in company employee and industrialist, 5 cases (2.9%) in house-wife, and 4 cases (2.4%) in motor man. 6) The most frequently early complication at electric burn of 171 cases were gastrointestinal symptom 111 cases (65%), fracture 18 cases (10.5%), head injuries (intracranial bleeding and basal bone fracture of skull) 15 cases (6.4%), spinal cord injury and kidney rupture 1 cases (0.6%), hemorrhage 2 cases (1.2%), and other 8 cases (4%). 7) The predominating organisms cultured out of burn wounds of 26 cases were staphylococcus aureus 9 (34.7%), pseudomonas auerginosa 5 (19.2%), E. coli 3 (11.5%), staphylococcus albus 1(4%), β-hemolytic streptococcus 1 (4%), and no growth were 7 (26.9%). 8) The type of current and the voltage in 102 cases among the 171 cases of electric burn patients was clear. Injury of the 99 cases out of the 102 cases were by indirect current and the 3 was by direct current. In 99 cases by indirect current, electric burn in accordance with high tension current in voltage was 81 cases (79.4%), low tension current injuries 18 cases (17.6%). 9) At the admission, laboratory findings of the electric burn patients showed hemoconcentration and leukocytosis. 10) Early excision of the necrotic tissue and skin grafting was performed in 94 times. The results was excellent in 71 times. 11) Among 171 cases of electric burn patients, later complication were seen 47 cases (27.4%), which is 25 cases (14.3%) in amputation, 8 cases in cicatrical contraction, 4 cases in serum hepatitis, 4 cases in paralysis, 2 cases in osteomyelitis, 2 cases in ankylosis of knee joint, 2 cases in drop foot, 1 case in anal stricture, and 1 case in cataract. 12) The overall motality in this series was 8% (14cases) and the most frerent cause of the death was due to head injury (9 cases) at the time of electrical burn injuries.

MeSH Terms

Amputation
Ankylosis
Burns*
Burns, Electric
Cataract
Constriction, Pathologic
Craniocerebral Trauma
Female
Foot
Fractures, Bone
Hemorrhage
Hepatitis
Humans
Incidence
Kidney
Knee Joint
Leukocytosis
Lower Extremity
Male
Orthopedics
Osteomyelitis
Paralysis
Pseudomonas
Rupture
Seasons
Skin Transplantation
Spinal Cord Injuries
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus
Upper Extremity
Wounds and Injuries