Electricity: The Enemy Invisible

Abstract

Electrical injuries, as such, are less prevalent in comparison to other forms of burn injuries. However, this type of injury is considered to be one of the most devastating injuries due to its high morbidity and mortality. It is also associated with high costs and long-term hospitalization as well as the need for multiple surgical procedures; therefore, specific management considerations are required for this type of injury.
 It is more prevalent in developing countries, with prevalence rate being higher among men. Most of the pediatric population suffers injuries at home from low voltage appliances.
 The patient with electrical injury is usually a young, employed person who can potentially return to a productive working life. Successfully achieving this goal would save society a great loss of human potential. The plastic surgeon is actively involved in all phases of the pursuit of maximal recovery of the patient with electrical injuries. Reconstructive procedures are required both in high voltage injuries and low voltage injuries and have improved the quality of lives of these patients by timely intervention.
 Precautionary measures are necessary to reduce the incidence of high voltage injuries and their devastating effects. The incidence of high voltage injuries would not have been so high had the electric workers been properly trained and hazards of high tension lines explained. Moreover emphasis must be laid on the use of safety measures.