Electric burn injuries: A notable cause of physical disabilities

Dr. Apurba Kumar Nayak; Dr. Samir Toppo; Dr. Priyanka Kumari; Dr. Rashmi Kullu

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Electric burn injuries: A notable cause of physical disabilities

Dr. Apurba Kumar Nayak, Dr. Samir Toppo, Dr. Priyanka Kumari, Dr. Rashmi Kullu

Abstract :

Background: With increasing use of electricity, rate of electric burn related amputations and disarticulations are also increasing. The goal of this study was to investigate epidemiological profiles, associated common complications and the resulting disabilities in patients undergoing amputations and disarticulations due to electric burn injuries. Materials and methods: Data of total 92 patients were collected for this retrospective study between Jan 2017 to April 2020. Mean age of these cases is 29.72+15.59. Men are more prone to electrical accidents (n=78, 84.78%). Rural and suburban area had the maximum number of cases (32.6%+42.39%) with electrical workers and farmers being the worst sufferers (30.43%+18.47%). Patients of high voltage injuries had more complications than low voltage injuries. Conclusion: Electrical injury is culpable for significant physical disabilities due to lack of proper education, decent training, and strict enforcement of safety guidelines which results in unemployment and increased economic burden of the country every year. These losses can be reduced by increasing the awareness among masses.