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The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach to High Voltage Electrical Injuries

Article information

Trauma Image Proced. 2018;3(1):17-19
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 May 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.24184/tip.2018.3.1.17
Ho Hyoung Lee1, Joong suck Kim2, Min Koo Lee2, Kyoung Hwan Kim2, Sung Ho Han2, Soon Ho Chon3, Oh Sang Kwon,2
1Department of Orthopedics, Regional trauma center, Cheju Halla General Hospital
2Department of Traumatology, Regional trauma center, Cheju Halla General Hospital
3Department of Thoracic Surgery, Regional trauma center, Cheju Halla General Hospital
Correspondence to: Oh Sang Kwon, Department Traumatology, Cheju Halla General Hospital, 65, Doryeong-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Korea Tel: 82-64-740-5000, Fax: 82-64-743-3100, E-mail: dr73bear@hanmail.net
Received 2017 November 3; Revised 2018 May 14; Accepted 2018 May 14.

Abstract

The high voltage electrical injury is uncommon and is typically only reported in about 5 percent of major burn injuries. However, it is a major cause of amputation of extremities. Electrical burns are arbitrarily divided into high voltage (R1000 V) and low voltage (< 1000 V) injuries. In electrical injuries, decisions must be made about cardiac monitoring, emergent exploration and decompression of the extremity compartments, and the treatment for myoglobinuria. In this regard, we report of the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to high voltage electrical injury.

Keywords: High voltage; Electrical injury; Multidisciplinary

CASE

A 36-year-old female participated in paragliding during a visit to Jeju island. Due to a rogue wind gust, her and pilot crashed into a high voltage (22000 V) electrical wire. Her ankle was hung from the electrical wire. The pilot was in cardiac arrest upon arrival of emergency personnel at the scene. Her initial vital signs were 128/81mmHg-121/min-20/min-37.8℃, and her EKG was nonspecific. She complained of severe pain in her left-side extremities. We found a severe burn (grade III-IV) on her left upper and lower extremities (Fig. 1.). We inserted a right subclavian central catheter and an additional internal jugular hemo-catheter for vigorous hydration and preparation of hemodialysis. Traumatologists performed an escharotomy on her upper and lower extremities and called for an orthopedic surgeon. The traumatologist and orthopedic doctor elected to perform an emergency operation (fasciotomy of the left upper limb and above-knee amputation of the left lower limb). Her initial urine myoglobulin level was 1923 mcg/L.

Fig. 1.

Simultaneous above-knee amputation and fasciotomy

After resuscitation, she was sent to the operation room. One orthopedic doctor and two traumatologists performed an above-knee amputation and fasciotomy, simultaneously (Fig. 2.).

Fig. 2.

Multiple extensive burn wounds are shown on the upper and lower extremities.

For pain control and facilitation of further operational procedures, we kept the patient ventilated and under continuous infusion of sedatives and analgesics. After the first operation, we consulted a nephrologist and applied renal replacement therapy to her. We debrided and irrigated the necrotic tissue. Finally, she was transferred to the burn center for advanced burn management.

DISCUSSION

In a high voltage electrical injury, after an initial resuscitation, decisions must be made regarding cardiac monitoring, emergent exploration and decompression of the extremity compartments, and treatment of myoglobinuria [1]. It is important to cooperate with a multidisciplinary team to improve the patient’s prognosis.

Notes

Conflict of Interest Statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

1. O'Conor CE. Management of electrical injury in the emergency department. Irish medical journal 2003;96(5):133–4.

Article information Continued

Copyright © 2018 Korean Association for Research, Procedures and Education on Trauma

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0), which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

Simultaneous above-knee amputation and fasciotomy

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2.

Multiple extensive burn wounds are shown on the upper and lower extremities.