Prognostic factors in electrical burns: a review of 101 patients

Electrical burn wounds are among the most devastating of burns, with wide-ranging injuries. We aimed to document the factors affecting the mortality rate of patients presenting with electrical burn wounds to our regional burn centre.

This retrospective study was conducted on 101 patients from January 2009 to June 2012. Factors were classified under 11 topics and evaluated according to their relationship with the mortality rate.

The major causes of death in burn victims were multiple organ failure and infection. Twenty-six percent of the 101 patients died, all of whom were male. One (1.4%) of the patients who survived was female; 73 (98.6%) survivors were male. The mean age in the deceased group was statistically higher than that of the other patients (32.7 vs. 35.6 years; P < 0.05). All-cause mortality was 2.79 times higher for larger burns (> 25% total body surface area). The values for creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, total body surface area of burn, hospitalised period in the intensive care unit and intubation rate were significantly higher in the exitus group. Renal injury requiring haemofiltration was associated with an almost 12-fold increased risk for mortality. There was no statistically significant difference between patients regarding surgical interventions.

Electrical injury remains a major cause of mortality and long-term disability among young people. Our data demonstrated several risk factors associated with increased mortality rate in patients with electrical burn wounds.