Electrical injury

Electricity is a ubiquitous, indispensable, and invisible part of modern civilization. We often take it for granted until a natural disaster renders it and us nearly useless. Another instance when an individual is reminded of its presence unfortunately and all too commonly is the severe electrical burn injury. Electrical burns are the most devastating of all thermal injuries on a size by size basis. They affect primarily young, working males, and often lead to legal entanglements. They are the most frequent cause of amputation on the burn service [1]. Cutaneous manifestations of high voltage electrical injuries have been equated to the tip of the iceberg. Index of suspicion must be high, as deep tissue injury is often hidden yet common. Long term morbidity and disability is often the end result of these injuries and this has led to the recommendation for their evaluation and treatment in qualified burn centers.