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Assault inflicted by hot water

F J Duminy1, D A Hudson

  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|October 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
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Hot water assaults are uncommon but often involve domestic violence, particularly affecting males assaulted by wives. Most victims sustained partial skin thickness burns requiring surgical intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Medicine
  • Burn Surgery
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hot water assaults are infrequent but documented globally.
  • This study analyzes patient demographics, burn patterns, and outcomes in 127 intentional hot water assault cases over 7.5 years.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize patients intentionally assaulted with hot water.
  • To identify common burn locations and severity.
  • To inform medical professionals about recognizing assault-related burns.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series analysis.
  • Data collected on patient demographics, assault circumstances, burn characteristics, treatment, and outcomes.
  • Statistical analysis of burn surface area, location, depth, and hospital stay.

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Main Results:

  • 127 patients intentionally assaulted with hot water were analyzed.
  • Males (94) were more frequently assaulted than females (33), often by spouses.
  • Most patients were from lower socioeconomic groups, with upper body burns being most common (average 13.7% TBSA).
  • 84 patients had partial thickness burns requiring debridement and skin grafting.
  • Average hospital stay was 17 days.

Conclusions:

  • Upper body hot water burns in adults should prompt consideration of assault, especially with risk factors like alcohol abuse or lower socioeconomic status.
  • Partial skin thickness burns are typical, necessitating surgical intervention.
  • Psychosocial evaluation and intervention are crucial for victims of hot water assault.