Abstract

VALDES MESA, Sady; BORGES MUINO, Harley  and  PALACIOS ALFONSO, Irene. Clinical characterization of the electrical burn patient. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 2007, vol.36, n.1. ISSN 0138-6557.

A study on morbidity from electrical burns in patients admitted in the Burn Unit of “Dr. Luis Díaz Soto” Higher Institute of Military Medicine, from December 1975 to December 2004, was conducted to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of this type of injured. The working universe consisted of 208 patients with a predominance of third age males, accounting for 98.1 %. In 139 patients, the direct contact with electricity was the mechanism causing accidents. In 76 %, the extremities were the more affected anatomical areas. A seventh of the patients required surgical treatment. It was demonstrated that this is a complex trauma, and that the immediate specialized care, and the presence of an interdisciplinary team were decisive to guarantee survival.

Keywords : Electrical burn patient; special burns; electrical trauma..