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The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms, complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with electrical injuries. Of 5053 acute burn admissions during a 5-year period, 202 patients (4%) had electrical burn injuries. Their mean age was 27.5 years (range, 3-71 years). Ninety-eight percent were male, and the extent of burn ranged from 1% to 70% TBSA (mean, 10.5 +/- 10.7% TBSA). High-voltage electricity caused 54% of the electrical injuries. Forty-two percent were caused by low-voltage currents and 4% by lightning. A total of 217 surgical procedures were performed on 202 patients Fifteen patients (7.4%) required amputation. All patients who had abnormal electrocardiograms underwent cardiac monitoring. Four had cardiac complications. Mean hospital stay was 13.9 +/- 14.6 days (range, 1-90). Four patients (2%) died. Electrical burn injuries continue to be a serious problem of modern society. Climbing power poles is the most common mechanism for high-voltage injury. Special consideration is required to prevent this type of injury in our region.

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Background/Aim:Peptic ulcer perforations are a common emergency, but available literature is silent on the exact definition, incidence, management, and complications of peritonitis due to omental patch leakage.Patients and Methods:Retrospective data were collected on 422 patients who underwent omental patch repair of perforated peptic ulcer between March 20, 1999 and March 20, 2006. The definitive diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer and omental patch leakage was obtained at surgery.Results:Seventeen (4%) patients experienced generalized peritonitis due to omental patch leakage. Mean age was 60.6 years. Mortality rate was 29.4%, and the mean hospital stay was 23.6 days. Delay in surgical approach, shock on admission, and age were all significantly associated with increased mortality.Conclusions:Peritonitis due to omental patch leakage can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The most common causes of omental patch leakage and operative procedures were unknown and reinsertion of omentum, respectively. Factors such as shock on admission or delayed surgery, have significantly contributed to fatal outcomes and need careful attention.

CONTEXT AND AIMS:Diabetic burn patients comprise a significant population in burn centers. The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic characteristics of diabetic burn patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Prospective data were collected on 94 diabetic burn patients between March 20, 2000 and March 20, 2006. Of 3062 burns patients, 94 (3.1%) had diabetes; these patients were compared with 2968 nondiabetic patients with burns. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical analysis software SPSS 10.05. Differences between the two groups were evaluated using Student's t-test and the chi square test. P < 0.05 was considered as significant.RESULTS:The major mechanism of injury for the diabetic patients was scalding and flame burns, as was also the case in the nondiabetic burn patients. The diabetic burn patients were significantly older, with a lower percentage of total burn surface area (TBSA) than the nondiabetic burn population. There was significant difference between the diabetic and nondiabetic patients in terms of frequency of infection. No difference in mortality rate between diabetic and nondiabetic burn patients was observed. The most common organism in diabetic and nondiabetic burn patients was methicillin-resistant staphylococcus. Increasing %TBSA burn and the presence of inhalation injury are significantly associated with increased mortality following burn injury.CONCLUSIONS:Diabetics have a higher propensity for infection. Education for diabetic patients must include caution about potential burn mishaps and the complications that may ensue from burns.

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