Electrical burns: Epidemiological analysis of patients at the Burns Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Uberlândia

■ ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Using electric current is essential in our daily activities; however, its contact with living tissue can cause mild to severe or fatal burns. As it is a public health problem, knowledge of its epidemiology is essential for the development of health programs.

Method:

Cross-sectional study of data recorded in the medical records of patients treated for electrical burns at the Burns Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia between 2013 and 2019.

Results:

26 patients were admitted, the majority of whom were male (76 .9%) and adults (30.7%), victims of high voltage current (65.4%) at work (57.7%), which most affected the upper extremities (80.7%), with children all female (15.3%). The average percentage of burned area was 14. 5% and the % of those treated with skin autograft was 53.8%. The average hospital stay was 40 days, and 3.8% went to the Intensive Care Unit. No deaths were recorded during the period.

Conclusion:

The incidence of patients treated for electrical burns is low, affecting victims in all age groups and with a predominance of adult males in their workplace. The most common surgical treatment was skin autograft. Health promotion, prevention, and protection policies regarding the dangers of electrical currents would not be practiced and disseminated among our domestic, working, or employing population, unlike what occurs in most developed countries.

Keywords:
Burns; Burns electric; Burn units; Epidemiology; Brazil