Treatment of severe electrical burns

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999 Oct 30:888:60-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1999.tb07942.x.

Abstract

In summary, electrical injury is a typical type of burn injury with a unique mechanism of systemic and local damage. Resuscitation is more complex in critical patients than that of thermal injury. Local management is more difficult, which could be eventually accomplished by sequential procedures of debridement and operation. Although the modern trend of performing early debridement and operation might be promising, traditional experiences are still being used in clinical care. Progress in clinical management has brought about an improvement in therapeutic outcome, resulting in a decrease of amputation rate and reduced disability. Some typical types of electrical injury demand special treatment, which might prove to be effective. Close observation and timely treatment of the injury itself and related complications will be lifesaving in caring for critical electrical injury. Some special therapeutic measures would be indicated and might be fruitful in proving their efficacy. New measures aimed at theoretical problems will be promising if electroporation could be effectively treated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Burns, Electric / therapy*
  • Child
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged