Tandir burns in and around Diyarbakir, Turkey

Tandir is the name given to a special oven used for baking bread in the eastern and southeastern part of Anatolia. Tandir burn is a unique trauma in that it involves primarily women and young children falling into the in-ground ovens and suffering deep extensive burns. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the tandir burns occurring in the Diyarbakir region.

The records of 21 patients with tandir burn who were treated in our Burn Center between May 2003 and February 2006 were reviewed. Patients with tandir burns accounted for 2.14% of all burned patients. The mean age was 10.7 years (1hyphen;47 years). Of the patients, 71.43% were female, and 61.90% were under six years old. The mean total body surface area (TBSA) burned was 22.33% (8-75), and 71.43% of the patients had third-degree burns.

Three patients required amputation of an extremity. Eight patients had fasciotomies, 16 eschar excision, and 5 partial thickness skin grafts. The mean hospitalization period was 16.90 days (5-34 days). Five patients (23.81%) died.

Tandir burn is a severe burn with a higher morbidity and mortality.