Electrical burn with visceral injury.

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Burn Management
• Abdominal Reconstruction

Background:

• High voltage electrical injuries can cause extensive damage to the abdominal wall, potentially involving deep structures.
• Early surgical intervention, including debridement and laparotomy, is crucial for managing severe burn wounds.
• Abdominal wall defects require complex reconstruction to restore integrity and function.

Observation:

• A 37-year-old female sustained a large abdominal wall defect from electrical injury.
• Initial management included debridement, laparotomy, and skin grafting.
• A delayed complication of gastric wall necrosis led to a gastrocutaneous fistula.

Findings:

• The gastrocutaneous fistula was managed conservatively with duodenostomy feeding for one month.
• Successful closure of the fistula was achieved using a greater omental flap and split-thickness skin graft.
• The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and was discharged 17 days post-reconstruction.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for delayed gastrointestinal complications after severe electrical burns.
• Omental flap reconstruction is an effective technique for closing complex abdominal wall defects, including those involving fistulas.
• Multidisciplinary management is essential for optimizing outcomes in patients with high-voltage electrical injuries.