INTRODUCTION:The electrical current burns represent a very aggressive pathology that leaves many functional and aesthetic consequences.AIM:To evaluate the epidemiology of electrical burn injury and its associated complications and treatment.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Demographic data, aetiology, burn percentage and other measures related to electrical burn injury of 33 electrical burn patients in a tertiary hospital during the years 2015-2017.RESULTS:The mean age of patients is 31 (± 8.3) years old with a predominance of males (94%). The vast majority of injuries occurred at work (p < 0.01), superior extremities were more affected with hand (21.2%) and fingers (18.2%) being the main point of contact (p < 0.01). Muscular fasciotomy was performed in all patients who were treated surgically (n = 27), amputation was performed in 11 (40.7%) of cases, but amputated sites were more than the number of patients affected. Myoglobinuria (39.4%), cardio-respiratory distress (12.1%) contusion cerebri (6.1%), were the complication encountered in patients.CONCLUSIONS:Electrical burn injuries are still amongst the highest accident-related morbidities. Educating the population about the dangers and hazards associated with improper use of electrical devices and instruments is imperative.

INTRODUCTION:Hand burns occur commonly both as part of larger burn injuries as well as isolated injuries.AIM:To give an overview of epidemiologic features and outcome of burn hand patients who admitted to our Service. This study was performed at University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” Tirana which is the only tertiary hospital in Albania.MATERIAL AND METHODS:This prospective study included all patients who had combustion of the hands solely or hands accompanied with burns to other areas of the body, treated and followed up at our service during the years 2011-2016.RESULTS:Of the 333 included burn patients, 64% were males. The median age of patients is 25.9 years. About half of patients belong to the age group 20-60 years (49.5%) and only 10.2% belong to the age of 60 years. In most of the cases (73.6%), the burn of hands is associated with the burn of the other anatomical region, mostly forearm.CONCLUSION:The surgical treatment is used for less 30% that of patients. The undesirable results of the burn of hands are presented in the 33% of the patients. The contractures were the main unfavourable outcome of the burned hand.

After a three-year quarantine from the deadliest global pandemic of the last century, ASTES is organizing to gather all health professionals in Tirana, The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery(ACTES 2022) on 11-12 November 2022, with the topic Trauma & Emergency Surgery and not only...with the aim of providing high quality, the best standards, and the best results, for our patients ...ACTES 2022 is the largest event that ASTES (Albanian Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery) has organized so far with 230 presentations, and 67 foreign lecturers with enviable geography, making it the largest national and wider scientific event.The scientific program is as strong as ever, thanks to the inclusiveness, where all the participants with a mix of foreign and local lecturers, select the best of the moment in medical science, innovation, and observation.The scientific committee has selected all the presentations so that the participants of each medical discipline will have something to learn, discuss, debate, and agree with updated methods, techniques, and protocols.I hope you will join us on Friday morning, and continue the journey of our two-day event together.

Background: Upper extremity soft tissue reconstruction is an extensive topic as a multitude of options exist for diverse soft tissue defects involving shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Many of the times flap cover is necessary for resurfacing exposed critical structures like tendons, neurovascular structures, bone and to provide supple tissue over joints. Pedicled and perforator flaps are seen in last years as a good choice to restore length, sensitivity and function of the injured upper limb. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the definitions of as well as to present our experience regarding pedicled and perforator flaps. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 15 trauma patients who underwent pedicled and perforator flaps during the 2012-2016 timeframe period was made. The patients were divided according to their type of injury, as well as the types of flasp that were used. Results: We have performed in total: 7 Foucher’s flaps, 4 Posterior Interosseous Artery flaps, 1 Radial Recurrent Artery flap, 1 Quaba flap, 1 SDMA flap. We had only two cases of partial necrosis of the flaps and all the others survived completely. Conclusions: Every single flap elevated successfully is linked with a meticulous surgical technique. We should take a special care in pedicle positioning because pedicle strangling was the most important negative factor in our two flap partial necrosis. Understanding the mistakes will help us to improve our surgical techniques day after day.

Background: Even that the entire hand represents 4 percent of the TBSA, The American Burn Association, the Advanced Trauma Life Support, and the Advanced Burn Life Support curricula all recognize the severity of hand burns by classifying these as injuries requiring treatment at a burn qualified centre. Hand burns occur commonly both as part of larger burn injuries as well as isolated injuries. Due to damage to the skin and other parts of the hand, burns can lead to open wounds, disability, severe emotional and psychological complications, and economic burden. Aim: To give an overview of epidemiologic features and outcome of burn hand patients who are admitted in our Service. This current study was performed in University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa" Tirana which is the only tertiary hospital in Albania. Material and methods: In this retrospective study were included all patients who had combustion of the hands solely or hands accompanied with burns to other areas of the body, treated and followed up during the years 2011-2016. Results: Of the 333 included burn patients, 64% were males.The median age of women is 21.8 years, of men is 27.5 years and the median age total patients' population is 25.9 years. About half of patients belong to the age group 20-60 years (49.5%) and only 10.2% belong to the age above 60 years. In most of the cases (73.6%), the burn of hands is associated with burn of the other anatomical region, mostly forearm. Conclusion: The goal of wound management is to have the skin healed by post-burn in two weeks' time. In many cases, this will occur nonoperatively with good wound care. The surgical treatment is used for less 30% than of patients. Surgical excision of the burn with split-thickness skin grafting should be undertaken as soon as it becomes obvious that wound healing will not be complete by post-burn day 14. The undesirable results of the burn of hands are presented in the 33% of the patients. The contractures were the main unfavorable outcome of the burned hand.