Patients with Chemical Burns in a Single Burn Center

Abstract

Background: Chemical burn seems to be either much less uncommon or less under-referred than other types of burn injuries and is easy neglected than other types of burns. Aim and Objectives: This article presents the demographics and results of three hundred sixty-four patients of chemical burn admitted in single center. Materials and Methods: The above-mentioned patients were all admitted to and treated at Linkou Burn Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from May, 1986 to May, 2005. Results: There were 289 males and 75 females, with a ratio of 3.85:1. The mean age of the patients was 33.9 years old. The mean burn size was 11.2% total burn surface area (TBSA) (1-70%) and the mean length of hospital stay was 19.3 days. Most common cause was occupational injury (68.7%), with the second was assault injury (21.2%). Strong acids causing burns (65.7%) were mainly sulfuric acid (33.5%). In contrast, alkali-caused burns (15.4%) were mainly by sodium hydroxide (7.4%). The distributions in main chemical burn causes, patient numbers and severity (mean burn size and mean length of admission) in recent 10 years presented a tendency of declining, especially the distribution in mean hospital day was significant different. (P=0.011＜0.05). The face (59.6%) was the most frequently injured area, with the second being extremities. The hand involvement rate P=0.009) is significantly higher in the occupational group, rather the injury rates of face (P=0.000), neck (P=0.000) and chest (P=0.000) were significantly higher in the assault group. Ocular burn was the most common accompanying injury (14.6%). Conclusion: Adequate irrigation of the burnsite immediately with large volumes of water (especially for eyes) is still the standard management to reduce the severity of chemical burns and reduce the hospitalization days. Almost all of the chemical burn patients are suggested to admit for further wound management or surgical interventions. It is good news that the patients numbers, mean burn area and mean hospital day of chemical burn declined in recent 10 years, therefore the intensive and adequate safety education and professional training, usage of protective clothing at workplace, advancing of public authority elevation and changing criminal way and establishing more specialized burn centers in each medical center are recommended to reduce the incidence and severity of chemical burns.