Evaluation of the Epidemiological Characteristics of the Patients Admitted to Our Clinic as a Result of Electric Shock

Abstract

Introduction Electric shocks (ES) are common traumas in burn units that require treatment by specialists due to high mortality and morbidity. Objective This study aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients of ES, complications, and injury-related mortality and morbidity rates. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of 432 ES patients treated at the Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Burn Center, Turkey, between January 2010 and December 2020. Results Of the 432 patients, 92 (21.3%) and 340 (78.7%) sustained high- and low-voltage injuries, respectively. While high-voltage burns were common in January and December, low-voltage burns peaked in September and July. Burn patients were mostly males and were between the ages of 19 and 59 years. The majority of the ES events occurred at home. All four patients who died had suffered high-voltage burns, with two of high-voltage burns (2.17%) requiring amputation. None of the patients with low-voltage burns underwent amputation. High-voltage injuries manifested with larger burn surfaces, longer hospitalization, and more complications. Conclusion Electrical injuries are largely preventable with simple safety precautions in daily life as well as serious consideration of workplace safety.