REQUENCY AND OUTCOME OF MEDICO LEGAL CAUSES OF FLAME BURNS: A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Objective: Objective was to determine frequency and outcome of medico legal causes of flame burns in burn patients.
 Material & Methods: 125 subjects those fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled after informed consent from Burn unit, Mayo Hospital Lahore. Their name, age, gender and address was noted. Then proper history was taken. Frequency of Flame burn was identified. Medico legal causes of Flame burns according to operational definitions were noted. After management of burn patients in Burn Unit of Mayo Hospital of Lahore, patient’s outcome in terms of discharge or death was recorded on Proforma (attached).
 Results: Out of 125 subjects, 89 sustained flame burns. There were 54 males (60.7%) and 35 females (39.3%). Medico legal cause was accidental in 86 patients (96.6%), homicidal in 2 patients (2.2%) and suicidal in 01 patient (1.1%). There were 76 patients (85.4%) with 10 to 30% total body surface area burnt, 7 patients (7.9%) with 31 to 50% total body surface area burnt and 6 patients (6.7%) with 51 to 70% total body surface area burnt. 74 patients (83.1%) were discharged after management of burns while 15 patients (16.9%) died during admission in Burn Unit. There were 15 cases of flash burns, 10 cases of electrical burns, 8 cases of scald and 3 cases of chemical burns.
 Conclusion: The mortality, morbidity and disability associated with burn injuries are preventable to a large extent by educating society about safety measures, legislations, implementing good health and safety regulations and urgent management of burn victims.