Electrical injuries

Abstract

Electrical trauma can be caused by low-voltage current (from 60 to 1000 V, usually 220 or 360 V), high-voltage (more than 1000 V) current, lightning, and voltaic arc. Often victims are little children, teenagers, and working-age adults. Electrical injuries and clinical manifestations can vary a lot and range from mild complaints undemanding serious medical help to life-threatening conditions. Lightning causes serious injuries in 1000–1500 individuals every year worldwide. The case fatality rate is about 20–30%, with as many as 74% of survivors experiencing permanent injury and sequela. The primary cause of death in victims of lightning strike or other electrical trauma is cardiac or respiratory arrest. That is why appropriate urgent help is essential. Subsequently electrical burns, deep-tissue and organ damage caused by electricity, secondary systemic disorders often demand intensive care and prompt, usually later multistage surgical treatment; therefore, prevention of electrical trauma, which would help to reduce electrical injuries in children and working-age population, is very actual. The most important is to understand the possible danger of electricity and to avoid it.