Vietnamese "coining": a burn case report and literature review

"Coining," "coin rubbing," or çao gio, is an ancient Vietnamese folk remedy that is practiced by many Vietnamese-Americans to treat minor ailments. There are few reported cases of serious complications of çao gio; most of the complications have been minor burns. We present a case report of a 45-year-old woman who sustained 22% partial-thickness and full-thickness burns after she caught on fire during a coining treatment. She underwent fluid resuscitation, wound care management, and, eventually, burn debridement and autografting. She was discharged 10 days after the operation, with excellent take of all of her grafts. However, a contracture of her right axilla did develop and will require surgical release. This case represents a serious injury that can result from traditional cultural forms of medicine.