ABSTRACT
Electrical injuries due to high-tension voltage (>1000 volts) cause destruction at
the point of contact with massive necrosis of deeper structures such as muscles, vessels
and nerves. Rhabdomyolysis due to massive breakdown of skeletal muscles may lead to
acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria. The study was undertaken to observe
the correlation of renal complications with extent and progression of tissue damage
in high-tension voltage electrical burns. Renal biochemical parameters as predictors
of acute renal failure were also studied. Thirty two patients of high tension voltage
electrical burn injuries presenting during one year period 1-1-2001 to 31-12-2001
were studied. Low-tension voltage electrical injuries (< 1000 volts) mimic thermal
burns were excluded from the study. The electrical wound assessment and the renal
biochemical parameters were done daily for the first seven days and then on alternate
days for another seven days. Assessment of progression of wounds and correlation with
the renal biochemical parameters was done. Patients who died following electrical
burns were subjected to autopsy and histopathological examination of both kidneys.
Out of the thirty-two patients, six (18.75%) went into acute renal failure. Five out
of these six patients died because of renal failure (mortality rate 83.33%). There
was definite progression of electric burn wounds. There was no correlation between
progression of electrical burn wounds and acute renal failure. Serum creatinine was
found to be the most important biochemical parameter as a prognostic indicator of
acute renal failure.
KEY WORDS
Electrical Burns - Renal Failure - Renal Biochemical Parameters
