AbstractIntroduction: Electrical burns constitute the fourth leading cause of work related death. Tissue destruction is extensive often requiring amputation. Upper limb involvement is present in majority of the electrical burn injuries, these injuries can be avoided with proper education, safety regulations, and a safe effective electricity delivery network. Aims: To study various types of treatment strategies with patients and clinical outcome in terms of functionality. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted for a period of 2 years. All the patients with major upper limbs electrical burns were included in the study. 140 patients were admitted with electrical burns out of them 90 had upper limbs involvement. Out of those 140 patients 34 were Pediatric patients with age less than 10 years. Results: Males (83.3%) mostly presented with burns of upper limbs when compared with females. Farmers and electricians are the most commonest group effected, Most of them being sustaining Highvoltage burns. Most common site affected was fore arm followed by hand and arm. Rural to urban ratio was 2:1 and hospital stay of 50 patients (55.5%) was approximately between 0 and 15 days. Conclusion: Pedicled distant flaps are reliable, durable and easy to perform for the post electrical burn defects of the upper limbs, which gives predictable results.
Keywords: Electrical Burns; amputation; Plasticreconstructive procedures.