Skull injuries caused by high voltage electricity

Area of Science:

• Electrical injury management
• Trauma surgery
• Pediatric safety

Background:

• High voltage electrical injuries present complex challenges, especially when the current enters through the head.
• Previous data indicated a higher incidence of these injuries compared to recent years.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the management of four high voltage electrical injury cases.
• To evaluate surgical interventions, including excision and flap surgery.
• To discuss alternative treatment strategies for improved outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Initial conservative management followed by surgical excision and flap surgery for head entry electrical injuries.
• Review of treatment outcomes and comparison with alternative surgical approaches.
• Analysis of incidence trends in high voltage electrical injuries over a ten-year period.

Main Results:

• Surgical excision and flap surgery resulted in an uneventful postoperative course for the reported cases.
• A significant decrease in high voltage electrical injuries was observed, from 5.5% to 1.4% over ten years.
• Children constituted a prominent group of injured individuals, with injuries occurring primarily around railroad areas.

Conclusions:

• Surgical excision and flap coverage can be effective in managing high voltage electrical injuries.
• Earlier surgical intervention and flap coverage may potentially avoid later bone grafting.
• Despite a decrease in overall incidence, electrical injury prevention, especially for children near railroads, remains crucial.