Epidemiological and Clinical Profile and Complications of Patients with Electrical Burns in a Burn Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Electrical burns are a frequent cause of complications, including infections, the need for grafts and amputations that affect functionality. Objective: To identify the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and complications in patients with electrical burns and their compromised functionality. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study in patients with electrical burns hospitalized in the years 2018 to 2020. Demographic and clinical variables, CPK levels, need for graft, amputation, functionality and mortality were analyzed. Results: The average age was 33 years (SD: 16 years), 88.4% were of legal age and 91.6% were male, with a median hospital stay of 21 days, 17.5% required ICU. 29.9% had infection, 5.8% sepsis and 20.1% had amputation. Differences were sought between patients with and without amputation, finding in the Barthel scale a higher percentage of patients with independence in the group without amputation (17.6%) compared to the group of amputated patients, who had some degree of dependency. CPK levels were higher in amputees compared to non-amputees (7,356 mcg/L vs. 611 mcg/L, p<0.001), and longer hospital stays (32 days vs. 12 days, respectively, p<0.001). Hospital mortality was 3.2%. Conclusion: Electrical burns occur in all age groups, but more frequently in persons 18 years of age or older, male, occupationally active, in the workplace. The increase in total CPK should alert the clinician to the risk of amputation, which causes varying degrees of dependence in affected individuals.

Keywords

• amputation surgical
• burns
• electric injuries
• functional status