Background: Electrical burns are classified into low and
high voltage burns. The arbitrary cutoff is usually set at
1,000 V.
Aim of the Work: This study attempts to show the prevalence
of electrical burns in our burn unit and the epidemiological
difference between high and low voltage injuries. It
comprises retrospective study including the years 2010-2014
and prospective study of the year 2015.
Patients and Methods: The retrospective study is more
of a statistical analysis of number of electrical burn patients
and mortality rate, while in the prospective study we were
able to follow the patients, treatment process, response and
outcome.
Results: In the retrospective section, 1233 burn patients
were admitted, 118 were due to electric injury, 21 females,
25 cases of high voltage burns, 93 cases were due to low
voltage injury, 44 cases of contact injuries, 83 flash burn
patients, 5 cases of amputation and 13 mortality cases. In the
prospective section, 277 burn patients were admitted, of which
15 were due to electric injury, 2 females, 10 cases of high
voltage burns, 10 cases of low voltage, 14 cases of contact
injuries, 1 flash burn patient, 6 cases of amputation and 2
mortality cases. Electric burn injury predominantly involves
young males aged 21-40 years. Our study has found a constant
incidence of electric burn injuries ranging between 15- 29
cases per year (5.4-10.2% of total burn cases) in the successive
years. In 2015, amputation rate was 40%. Since such devastating
injuries with high morbidity rate stem from largely
avoidable hazards, there is need for adoption of preventive
strategies which appear to be the most effective way in
controlling health problems related to the electric burn injuries.
Conclusion: Standardization of electrical devices and
continuous supervision of workers, proper use the devices,
security precautions, restriction of access of unskilled individuals
to dangerous electrical instruments, settlement of
continuous educational programs for workers and electrician
can help to reduce electrical injury incidence and meticulous
medical care will help to decrease the mortality and disability
rates.