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Burn injuries caused by chip-pan fires: the Edinburgh experience
S J Ghosh1, A D Shaw, J C McGregor
1South-East Scotland Burns Unit, St John's Hospital, West Lothian, Scotland, UK.
Summary
Chip-pan fires caused 7% of burn unit admissions over 4 years. Burns to hands were most common, requiring significant hospital stays and healing time, highlighting the need for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Chip-pan fires are a significant cause of burn injuries.
- Burns from chip-pan fires represent a notable percentage of burn unit admissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, patient demographics, injury characteristics, and outcomes of burns caused by chip-pan fires.
- To emphasize the need for preventative measures against chip-pan fire injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient records admitted to the South-East Scotland Burn Unit between 1990-1994.
- Data collected included patient demographics, burn cause, affected body area, treatment received, and length of hospital stay.
Main Results:
- Thirty-two patients (7% of total admissions) were treated for chip-pan fire burns.
- The average patient age was 51.6 years, with hands being the most commonly affected area (18 patients).
- Average hospital stay was 19.4 days, with complete healing taking 46.3 days.
Conclusions:
- Chip-pan fire burns are a common and preventable cause of significant morbidity.
- Increased community awareness and education are crucial for reducing the incidence and impact of these injuries.