From the Guidelines
Electrical burns in the USA are a significant public health concern, affecting approximately 1,000 people annually, with a mortality rate of 3-15%, and requiring prompt medical assessment and treatment. The epidemiology of electrical burns in the USA is characterized by two distinct populations: workplace accidents among adults, particularly in construction and utility industries, and household accidents involving children 1. Men account for about 80% of electrical burn victims, with the highest incidence occurring in individuals aged 20-40 years. Some key facts about electrical burns include:
- Low-voltage injuries (<1000V) are more common, representing about 60-70% of cases
- High-voltage injuries (>1000V) cause more severe damage and have higher mortality rates
- Lightning strikes, though rare, affect approximately 300 Americans yearly with a 10% fatality rate
- Geographically, electrical burns show higher prevalence in regions with older electrical infrastructure and in rural areas where access to immediate medical care may be limited. The economic burden of electrical burns is substantial, with treatment costs often exceeding $100,000 per patient due to lengthy hospitalizations, multiple surgeries, and rehabilitation 1. Prevention strategies focusing on workplace safety regulations, proper electrical installation, and public education have contributed to a gradual decline in incidence over the past two decades, though electrical burns remain a significant public health concern requiring specialized treatment at burn centers.
From the Research
Epidemiology of Electrical Burns
- Electrical burns are a significant cause of injury, with studies suggesting they account for up to 10% of burns admissions worldwide 2.
- The majority of electrical burn patients are male, with one study finding 91.3% of patients were male 3 and another finding 92.7% were male 2.
- The most common causes of electrical burns are occupation-related injuries, with 67% of patients in one study suffering occupation-related injuries 3 and 39% in another study being injured while working 2.
Characteristics of Electrical Burns
- High voltage injuries are more likely to result in severe burns, with one study finding 72.8% of patients suffered high voltage injuries 3 and another finding high voltage injuries were more likely to result in loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, and amputation 4.
- The mean total body surface area (TBSA) involved in electrical burns can vary, with one study finding a mean TBSA of 21.1% 3 and another finding a mean TBSA of 3% 2.
- Electrical burns can result in significant morbidity, with one study finding 31 patients (41%) required amputation 3 and another finding 23.6% of patients underwent amputation 4.
Treatment and Outcomes
- The optimal management of electrical burns involves urgent exploration and debridement, aggressive redebridement, and early wound closure 5.
- Microvascular free-flap transfer can be an effective treatment for severe high-voltage electrical burns, with one study finding six of seven patients achieved successful healing with free flaps 6.
- Electrical burns can have a significant impact on quality of life, with one study finding patients with high voltage burns and amputees had poorer quality of life parameters 3.