Complex chemical burns following a mass casualty chemical plant incident: how optimal planning and organisation can make a difference

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
Tomás B O'NeillFiona Wood

Abstract

Four employees at a chemical plant sustained extensive chemical burns following the explosion of a pipeline containing 100% sulphuric acid. We describe the management of these patients from the initial ED triage through to discharge from hospital in life and limb threatening chemical burns. Four patients who sustained chemical burns to the torso and extremities are reviewed. Data was retrieved from patient case notes and operating theatre logbooks. Four patients sustained chemical burns during the blast and were immediately transferred to a local ED where a prompt referral was made to the burns service. All patients were male aged 25-59 years (mean 46.5). Burn size was 2-50% BSA (mean 22.5). Following RFDS transfer to the state burns service two patients required immediate excisional surgery. In these patients the chemical burn involved full thickness skin loss with extensive underlying muscle and neurovascular damage. One patient required immediate above knee amputation of one leg and fascial burn excision of the other. The other patient required fascial burn excision of both legs followed by Integra placement 24h later. Both patients had prolonged hospital stays due to the complex nature of their injuries requiring multiple t...Continue Reading

References

Feb 27, 2003·Internal Medicine Journal·D Fisher, J Burrow
Mar 10, 2005·The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation·Marion H JordanJames C Jeng
Jul 5, 2005·Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries·D EdgarA Goodwin-Walters
Sep 26, 2006·Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association·Roger W YurtWilliam T Greene
Jan 26, 2008·Disasters·Alejandro López Carresi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by manic and/or depressive episodes and associated with uncommon shifts in mood, activity levels, and energy. Discover the latest research this illness here.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Atrial Filbrillation

Atrial fibrillation refers to the abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria. Here is the latest research.

Related Papers

Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association
Randy D KearnsJames C Jeng
Clinical Toxicology : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists
Laurence MathieuJoël Blomet
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved