Age estimation for Scald Injury and its Probable Relation to Testicular Function Impairment

Abstract

BBackground and Rationale: From the medicolegal point of view, long term systemic consequences of scald injury should be identified for proper compensation and legal action, especially for scald injury involving skin full-thickness in 20% of total body surface area (TBSA) which is known to have long term grave consequences on general health. Aim of the Study: The current experimental study was carried out to: 1-identify the histopathological changes and TNF-α Immunoexpression of different ages of a full thickness scald injury occupying 20% of the total body TBSA; 2- study the probable relation between the scald age and the testicular function impairment. Materials and Methods: A total number of 40 adult male albino rats were used in the study. Histopathological examination for the scald area and testis were performed with hematoxyline & eosin stain and TNF-α Immunoexpression. Epididymal semen analysis and serum testosterone were also performed. These procedures were carried out after 2 days, 7 days, 1 month and 3 months of scald infliction. Results: Progressive histopathological changes were observed in the early scald ages while healing manifestations and improvement in testosterone serum levels, when compared to the other periods, started to appear after 1 and 3 months of scald infliction. Conclusion: It can be concluded that scald injury involving 20% of TBSA can cause long term impairment of testicular function.