CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FIRE CRACKER BURNS OF HANDS IN A TERTIARY BURN CARE CENTER

Abstract

Fireworks related burns are one of the causes of recurring incidences of burn injuries every year during festivals. Sporadic events are reported in family and communal celebrations / temple festivals and in funerals. These burns are different from other burns as the burn percentage is not the major burden, but the increasing number of patients with cracker burn injuries with loss of hand function, loss of vision and at times blast injury of the face with major tissue loss and multiple fractures (shattered tissues), which are challenging for the reconstructive surgeon, are major concern. These re cracker burn wounds are to be classied separately as the wounds are more like traumatic wounds than burn wounds. They are also associated with more morbidity than mortality. Upper limbs, mainly the hands are the most common site of injury in case of cracker burns. Blast injury while lighting crackers causes severe damage to the tissues, and along with the added contamination of the wound, makes repair and reconstruction of such limbs a herculean task. (1,2,3)