A case report of a high voltage electrical injury: Lower limb Salvage with age-old technique of bone trephination and Split-thickness skin grafting

Abstract

Introduction: Electrical injuries make up a relatively small portion of burn injuries. In electrical burns limb damage is severe. Open wounds with bone exposed should be debrided properly and attempt of drilling can be given if no coverage option available. Case report : We present the case of a middle aged woman who sustained a high voltage electrical injury on left upper limb and left lower limb. Amputation of left upper limb was done with should disarticulation and subclavian ligation. In the lower limb almost whole length of tibia was exposed which was drilled and surrounding area was debrided and then regulary dressed with saline dressing. Follow up 3 months of saline dressing and then wound was grafted and limb was saved. Conclusion: Open wounds with exposed bones should be debrided properly and attempt of drilling can be given if no coverage option available. It is also an option when patient is high risk for surgery. It can be done under local or no anesthesia. Regular dressing and local debridement and maintaining proper Hemoglobin and protein throughout can help early wound closure.