Management of scalp defects due to high-voltage electrical burns: a case series and proposed algorithm to treat calvarium injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
Naveen Kumar ◽  
Kingsly Paul ◽  
Elvino Barreto ◽  
Shashank Lamba ◽  
Ashish Kumar Gupta
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Scalp Defects ◽  
Electrical Burns

scholarly journals Scalp Reconstruction Following High Voltage Electric Burn

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Zakir Hossain ◽  
Bidhan Sarker ◽  
Lutfar Kader Lenin ◽  
Ayesha Hanna ◽  
Limon Kumar Dhar
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Skin Grafting ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Transposition Flap ◽  
Reconstructive Procedures ◽  
Rotation Flap ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Scalp Reconstruction ◽  
Scalp Defects

Background: Scalp reconstruction following high voltage electric burn can be challenging. A useful Reconstructive algorithm is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience and to identify an appropriate reconstructive strategy. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study, conducted in the Burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital & Department of Burn & Plastic Surgery,Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital over a period of five years. Reconstructive procedures, independent factors and outcomes were evaluated. A total of 7 procedures were performed in 30 patients. Techniques for reconstruction included skin grafting, outer table drilling & skin grafting, Bipedicle flap, Single rotation flap, Double opposing rotation flap, Transposition flap, Tissue expansion & primary closure. Conclusion: Important tenets for successful management of scalp defects are durable coverage, adequate debridement, preservation of blood supply, and proper wound drainage. Local scalp flaps with skin grafts remain the mainstay of reconstruction in most instances. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bdjps.v3i2.18251 Bangladesh Journal of Plastic Surgery July 2012, 3(2): 49-52

Electromyographic evaluation of delayed spinal cord injury secondary to high voltage electrical burns

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1187
Author(s):  
Jong Deuk Rha ◽  
Yong Hoon Kim ◽  
Seung Il Yoon ◽  
Joon Soon Kang ◽  
Goo Hyun Baek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Electrical Burns

625 Death Due to Fractal Wood Burning: An Emerging Public Health Problem

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S158-S158
Author(s):  
Harold Campbell ◽  
Rabia Nizamani ◽  
Samuel W Jones ◽  
Bruce Cairns ◽  
Felicia N Williams
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Online News ◽  
Voltage Transformer ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Burn Center ◽  
Electrical Burns

Abstract Introduction The art of pyrography, creating designs in wood with a thermal heat source, dates back to prehistory. Risks include cutaneous burns and airway injury. Fractal woodburning is a niche method of pyrography utilizing a high-voltage electrical source to burn branched designs – Lichtenberg patterns – into the surface of wood. While this technique has grown in popularity, the associated risks are not well described. Methods We describe a patient who presented to our burn center after sustaining high-voltage electrical burns from a homemade high-voltage device constructed for fractal woodburning. We also evaluated publicly reported cases of death or injury due to this technique. Results An otherwise healthy 17-year-old male was admitted to our burn center with injuries sustained while making fractal wood art. The patient improvised a high-voltage transformer from a discarded microwave, generating 2000 volts from household current. While using this device to burn Lichtenberg patterns in wood, he contacted the electrodes and sustained full-thickness electrical burns to the neck, chest, and bilateral upper extremities. Bilateral upper extremity fasciotomies were required on admission. Multiple subsequent operative procedures culminated with autografting to the majority of the wounds and ongoing complex reconstruction of the left thumb. In evaluating online news reports, we found 21 unique individuals with death or injury attributed to fractal woodburning. Four sustained substantial injuries, while 17 reportedly died. The first reported incident occurred in July 2016 and the most recent report was from July 2019. Ages ranged from 17 years old to the 60s. Eighteen individuals were younger than 50 years old. All of the mortalities and 3 of the 4 injuries occurred in males. Of the survivors, 3 sustained significant upper extremity injuries and 2 suffered cardiac arrest at the time of injury. The devices used in 4 incidents were microwave transformers and generated 2000 volts. Device characteristics were not identified in the remainder of cases. Conclusions Fractal woodburning is associated with devastating high-voltage electrical injuries and death. Prevention efforts should be focused on the potential risks of this art form. Applicability of Research to Practice News reports likely underestimate the actual incidence of injury and death due to fractal woodburning, however, even this limited data suggests an emerging public health problem requiring further study and public education.

Innovative Positioning Techniques for Patients with High Voltage Electrical Burns

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S238
Author(s):  
S. Farmer ◽  
J. Davis ◽  
K. Mendiola ◽  
M. Serghiou ◽  
D. N. Herndon
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Electrical Burns

857 Reconstruction of the Pediatric Upper Extremity Following High Voltage Electrical Burn Injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S266-S267
Author(s):  
Matthew A Depamphilis ◽  
Ryan Cauley ◽  
Farzin Sadeq ◽  
Robert Sheridan ◽  
Daniel N Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Burn Injury ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
Term Function ◽  
Electrical Burns ◽  
Electrical Injuries

Abstract Introduction High voltage electrical burns are often associated with significant morbidity, posing great acute and delayed reconstructive challenges for plastic surgeons. As survival from these injuries increases, attention has been focused on improving quality of life post burn injury through restoration of sensory and motor function. However, due to the complexity of the upper extremity and its small surface area in pediatric patients, its reconstruction can be a very complex endeavor. Especially in pediatric patients that are still growing, ensuing great risk for upper extremity contracture and deformity. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients aged 0–18 years admitted to our institution with a high voltage electrical burn involving the upper extremity. The timeframe under study was 13 years from January 1st 2005 to December 1st 2018. This project was undertaken at our institution as an exempt project under 45 CFR 46.101 and, as such, it was not formally supervised by an Institutional Review Board. Results Out of the 68 electrical burns treated at our pediatric burn center, 58 involved the upper extremity. This further divides into 37 patients with high voltage and 31 patients with low voltage upper extremity electric burns. Of the 37 high voltage upper extremity patients, 35 underwent acute surgical management and 18 had delayed surgical reconstruction for the upper extremity. Conclusions The reconstructive techniques employed at our institution following severe electrical injuries typically follow a reconstructive ladder. The majority of chronic contractures in our series were successfully treated with either minimally invasive techniques such as laser and steroid infiltration, local tissue flaps, or release and skin grafting. Applicability of Research to Practice Multidisciplinary treatment of severe electrical injuries to the upper extremity is vital to optimizing a patient’s long-term function. Given the significant depth of injury in cases of electrical burns to the upper extremity the risk of developing contractures is relatively high. The expeditious treatment of secondary contractures is important to maximize a patient’s long-term function. The general treatment of contractures of the upper extremity should be based on the location and severity of the contracture, with considerations made for the patient’s reconstructive goals.

Electrical Burns in Chinese Fishermen Using Graphite Rods Under High-Voltage Cables

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Wang ◽  
Xu-Lin Chen ◽  
Yong-Jie Wang ◽  
Xia-Ying Chen ◽  
Feng Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Electrical Burns ◽  
Graphite Rods

scholarly journals High-voltage impedance rise; mechanism and management in patients with transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: a case series

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Christopher Monkhouse ◽  
Alex Cambridge ◽  
Anthony W C Chow ◽  
Jonathan M Behar
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Boston Scientific ◽  
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Current Output ◽  
Gradual Rise ◽  
Cardioverter Defibrillators

Abstract Background We describe a case series of patients for a gradual rise in daily, low-voltage sub-threshold measurement (LVSM) of shock (high-voltage, HV) impedance in a group of patients with Boston Scientific implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and investigate the cause of the abnormality. Case summary Six patients presented with a gradual rise in HV impedance above normal range (132.5 ± 20.8 Ω). Patients were young with a mean age of 29 ± 11 years, four patients had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one left ventricular non-compaction, and one long QT. All lead designs were silicon body with GORE polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) coated coils, and a lower true shock impedance (TSI) was seen in all cases with full output synchronized shock. We compared the rate of HV impedance rise with our historical cohort of Boston ICDs using an unpaired t-test. The change in impedance per month was significantly higher amongst our six patients when compared with our cohort of Boston Scientific ICDs (3.2 ± 1.9 Ω/month vs. 0.0008 ± 0.005 Ω/month, P < 0.001). Patients were individually investigated and management discussed in a dedicated device multi-disciplinary team meeting (MDT). Discussion There are distinct differences between TSI and LVSM. The TSI is derived from a full output shock, whilst LVSM is calculated from a small current output. These cases highlight the inaccuracies of the LVSM measurement. The gradual rise in LVSM is significantly higher than the value for TSI in these patients we propose the most likely mechanism is encapsulation fibrosis surrounding the right ventricular shock coil. Management for these patients requires vigorous testing to rule out electrical failure, and replacement maybe necessary.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document