MANAGEMENT OF ACCIDENTAL THERMAL BURNS DUE TO BURNING OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE IN RURAL AREAS OF KERALA: AN INSTITUTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to and out epidemiology and treatment of thermal injuries due to burning of household waste, a common practice in rural areas of Kerala. Material And Methods: Prospective study was carried out in the department of burns and plastic surgery from 1stJanuary 2018 to 29th February 2020. All patients with history of burns due to burning of household waste in rural areas of Kerala during this period were included in our study.Patients were managed with conservative management or surgical debridement and split thickness skin graft. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was given as an adjunct. Results: A total of 670 patients were admitted in our burnsdepartment out of which 75 patients were due to burning of householdwaste. Thirty-three patients were male and Forty-two patients were female. Most of them had around 10-30 percent thermal burns. Mortality was 6.6 percent. Most of the burns involved lower extremity and upper extremity. Conclusions: Burning of household waste is a common practice in outskirts of Kerala which leads to accidental burns resulting in a signicant number of admissions in our hospital. Proper awareness and facility for waste disposal is needed to avoid burn injuries due to burning of waste in rural areas.