Electrical burn injuries: disabling lives even in 2022

Background: With the widespread consumption of electricity, electrical injuries have been a source of immense damage for mankind globally and locally. The burden of electrical injuries varies among developed and developing countries. They are more prevalent among developing countries due to poor policy, regulatory issues, and lack of safe practices. This study was conducted to assay distinct aspects of electric burn injuries and, with the collected data, to set forth the preventive strategies to lessen the incidents of electric burn. Methods: This study was conducted in Burn Care Centre (BCC), PIMS, Islamabad, from Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2022. All patients were assessed on the parameters of contact point wounds, mechanism of injury, complications developed, and surgical procedures done. Results: We assessed 207 patients of electric burn; 30.4% were of high-voltage electric injuries. The mean age was 21.8%, and 86.9% were males. The mean burn extent was 18.5 %. Most of the incidents occurred at the work place. Contact points on upper extremities were found to be more frequently involved than lower extremities. Amputations were performed in 31.7% of high-voltage electric current patients. Surgical procedures were carried out on 112 of total patients. High voltage has a positive correlation with amputation (P value=0.01). Also, low-education population was the most effected from high-voltage electric burns (P value= 0.03). Conclusions: Increased incidences of electric injuries suggest the need to make sure of safety regulations and awareness programs regarding electric appliances handling at every national level. Level of evidence: Level V, Risk/Prognostic.