Electronic Cigarette-Related Injuries Presenting to Five Large Burn Centers, 2015-2019

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Surgery
• Dermatology

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes are marketed as safer than traditional cigarettes.
• However, they have been linked to severe thermal injuries.
• Burn centers report an increase in electronic cigarette-related injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the incidence and characteristics of thermal injuries caused by electronic cigarettes.
• To analyze patient demographics, injury patterns, and treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter retrospective chart review of burn registry data.
• Data collected from five large burn centers between January 2015 and July 2019.
• Inclusion criteria: patients with electronic cigarette-related injuries.

Main Results:

• 127 patients identified with electronic cigarette-related injuries.
• Most sustained <10% total body surface area burns (mean 3.8%), predominantly second-degree.
• Common injury mechanisms included spontaneous combustion and device modification; extremities were most affected.

Conclusions:

• Electronic cigarette use presents a public health risk, causing significant thermal injury and trauma.
• While most injuries are treated inpatient, outpatient cases show good outcomes.
• Further research and public awareness are needed.