Tehran University Medical Journal

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Aghakhani K, Ameri M. A review on electrical burn and its complications: review article. Tehran Univ Med J 2018; 76 (6) :426-431
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-9030-en.html

Although electrical energy is one of the best and cleanest energy sources, the proper protection and utilization of it, always and everywhere is problematic. One of the most important problems is electric shock and the dangers that can sometimes be lost in the lives of people. When a body or part of it is completely located in a strong power supply field or a contact with a device that is connected to a high voltage power supply, the person experiences an electrical burn. Electrical burn injuries account for about 5% of beds in large burn centers. The type of complications due to electrical burns varies according to the location of the current flow, its severity and tissue resistance. But usually the most severe physical and emotional complications are in the upper arms and legs of the body. While electrical injuries primarily result in burns, they may also cause fractures or dislocations secondary to blunt force trauma or muscle contractions. In high voltage injuries, most damage occur internally. On the other hand, psychological trauma and subsequent disability and unemployment problems affect the lives of electric burn victims. Understanding and managing the short-term and long-term complications of electrical burns is important in addition to proper and timely treatment of the injured person. Electric current with a high voltage of 1000 Volts causes a wide and deep burn which may not be estimated exactly at the onset of a visit by the doctor  and also patient himself. So, it should be mentioned the issues legally, to the patients and their relatives, in terms of the severity of lesions and the complications of probable amputation. On the other hand, because prevention is always better than cure, so appropriate information through the mass media can reduce the number patients and their complications. In this review study, introducing various types of electrical burns and the reported statistics, various complications of electrical burn are discussed. Awareness of the incidence of electrical burns in the population and its various complications can help to plan and manage the problems of electric burn injuries, as well as adopting strategies to prevent these incidents.