Amputation of Penis Due To Electrocution- A Case Report

Abstract

Electricity is an integral part of modern society. Without electricity the existence of human life seems difficult, but it has the capacity to stand life and destroyed the life up to the death. The most fatalities caused due to electricity are accidental and result from passage of an electric current [both low & high voltage] through the body. Penile trauma presents a difficult physical and psychological problem and is rare. The causes of penile trauma are varied; it can be iatrogenic or caused by traffic accidents, thermal and electric burns, ritual circumcision, animal bites, gunshots or self?mutilation. The type and extent of penile trauma varies from mild to severe injuries, sometimes even with total amputation. In the present case, a 24 year old young male from Palwal (Haryana) sustained electric burn injuries while he was standing in the balcony and came in contact with high voltage electric wires passing in front of the balcony. He was admitted in Safdarjung hospital, Delhi and expired on the same day. During autopsy electric contact burn marks were present on unusual sites of the body like head, neck, abdomen, pubic region and root of penis with amputation of penis. Electric flash burns were also present on different parts of the body along with fracture of cervical vertebra.