Umar Farooq, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Abida Maryum.
Electric burn injuries.
Rawal Med J Jan ;35(2):137-40.

Objective: To highlight the pattern of electrical injuries seen in our environment and the management problems faced in our set up. Method: This retrospective observational study was carried out at Burns unit Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 1999 to April 2008. All patients seen in causality or admitted in burns unit were evaluated regarding the cause of injury, place of injury, extent of involvement of burnt area and mortality of victims. All findings were recorded on a separate Performa and evaluated statistically at the end of the study. Results: A total of 248 patients were included in the study. Flame injuries were the commonest (43.96%) with mean age of victims of 22.81 years. Most of the electrical injuries were sustained at home (40.63%, n=13), followed by occupational (37.50%, n=12) and 21.87% (n=07) in streets or outside. Majority of the patients (59.37%, n=19) sustained less than 10% burns. More than 20% burns were noticed in 15.63% (n=05) patients. No burns were noticed in 15.63% (n=05) patients. No burns and 9.37% (n=03) mortality were noted among patients having high voltage burns. Conclusions: Children at home and young persons at workplace are more prone to have electrical injuries. Use of good quality electric wires , home applainces/machinery, enforcement of safety rules at home and workplace and upgradation of our health facilities are required to decrease the menace of severe electrical injuries. (Rawal Med J 2010;35:137-140).

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com