Analysis of urgent reconstruction of electrical injuries

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the reconstruction exp erience of the electrical injuries in emergency. METHODS: All 309 wounds in 105 patients who suffered from elect rical injuries were reviewed during a 10 year period from Jan. 1st 1986 to Dec. 31st, 1996. Treatment method, patient data and results wer e compared and analyzed. A comprehensive urgent reconstruction alternative used in all cases included the followings, 1) debriding the wound in emergency, 2) preserving the vital tissues as much as possible, even devitalized tissues or loca l necrosis, 3) transplanting these vital tissues during the first surgery if the functional reconstruction required, 4) nourishing the wound bed by tissue flaps covering with rich blood supply, 5) improving flap survival by continuous irrig ation for 24-720 hours beneath the flaps with a compound medicine after surgery. RESULTS: Satisfactory results were obtained with the extremity loss ratio of less than 7% in this group compared with 42.5% which was 10 ye ars before 1984 in the same hospital. CONCLUSIONS: This urgent comprehensive reconstruction alternati ve is an effective and workable method for reducing extremity loss of electrical injuries.