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Electrical injuries and outcomes: A retrospective review
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Electrical injuries and outcomes: A retrospective review

Desmond Khor, Tareq AlQasas, Colette Galet, Joseph Barrash, Thomas Granchi, Robert Bertellotti and Lucy Wibbenmeyer
Burns, Vol.49(7), pp.1739-1744
11/01/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.03.015
PMID: 37005139

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Abstract

Electrical burns (EI) differ from other burn injuries in the immediate treatment given and delayed sequelae they manifest. This paper reviews our burn center’s experience with electrical injuries. All patients with electrical injuries admitted from January 2002 to August 2019 were included. Demographics; admission, injury, and treatment data; complications, including infection, graft loss, and neurologic injury; pertinent imaging, neurology consultation, neuropsychiatric testing; and mortality were collected. Subjects were divided into those who were exposed to high (>1000 volts), low (<1000 volts), and unknown voltage. The groups were compared. P < 0.05 was considered significant. One hundred sixty-two patients with electrical injuries were included. Fifty-five suffered low voltage, 55 high voltage, and 52 unknown voltage injuries. High voltage injuries were more likely to be male (98.2% vs. 83.6% low voltage vs. 94.2% unknown voltage, p = 0.015), to experience loss of consciousness (69.1% vs. 23.6% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.001), cardiac arrest (20% vs. 3.6% vs. 13.4%, p = 0.032), and undergo amputation (23.6% vs. 5.5% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.024). No significant differences were observed in long-term neurological deficits. Twenty-seven patients (16.7%) were found to have neurological deficits on or after admission; 48.2% recovered, 33.3% persisted, 7.4% died, and 11.1% did not follow-up with our burn center. Electrical injuries are associated with protean sequelae. Immediate complications include cardiac, renal, and deep burns. Neurologic complications, while uncommon, can occur immediately or are delayed. •Retrospective review of electrical burn injuries.•Subjects suffering high-voltage electrical injuries had higher rates of amputation.•Immediate complications included cardiac, renal, and deep burns.•Neurologic complications, while uncommon, occurred either immediately or later on.
 Amputations Compartment syndrome Disability Electrical burn Neurological complications Neuropsychiatric complications Outcomes Spinal cord injury

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