Electrical injuries are a form of trauma with extreme gravity and a unique pathophysiology: they affect the entire organism.
A wide range of voltages may cause electrical accidents. Complications should be anticipated and prevented in order to minimize the complication risk and assure a vital, functional and esthetic prognosis as good as possible.
The article presents a case treated in our clinic together with the unique particular clinical situation and algorithm that led to a favorable result.
Keywords: electrocution, escharotomy, fasciotomy, skin grafting
Introduction
Electrical injuries represent trauma with extreme gravity; they have a unique pathophysiology. They encompass several types, as it follows: lightning injury, high-voltage injury and low-voltage injury. The clinical manifestations range from transient unpleasant sensations without an apparent injury to massive tissue damage. Some electrocutions are instantly fatal. The familiarity with the mechanisms of injury and the principles of therapy improve patient care
The 3 major mechanisms of electricity-induced injury are the following:
Electrical energy causing direct tissue damage, altering cell membrane resting potential, and eliciting muscle tetany.
Conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy, causing massive tissue destruction and coagulative necrosis.
