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https://doi.org/10.5772/intech...
Part of book or chapter of book . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Electrical Burn

Authors: Emily Vanderpool; Maysa Shemmiyeva; Desmond Khor;

Electrical Burn

Abstract

Electrical injuries occupy a unique intersection between burn, trauma, and critical care medicine, where varied mechanisms, unpredictable clinical trajectories, and a high risk of multisystem complications influence treatment decisions. Unlike conventional thermal burns, the severity of injury is often poorly reflected by external findings, as electrical current may produce extensive multi system internal tissue damage. Variability in voltage, current type, exposure duration, and tissue resistance contributes to a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from minor cutaneous injury to life-threatening organ dysfunction. This chapter synthesizes current evidence on the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management of electrical burn injuries, with an emphasis on critical care considerations. Foundational principles of electrical injury, including mechanisms of tissue damage and patterns of associated injury, are discussed to provide context for risk stratification and early recognition. Key components of intensive care unit management are examined, including cardiac monitoring, fluid resuscitation strategies tailored to rhabdomyolysis, neurologic surveillance, and respiratory support. Surgical management principles such as early recognition of compartment syndrome, serial wound assessment, and timely operative intervention are also reviewed. In addition, common cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious, and long-term complications are outlined to highlight the need for multidisciplinary care and longitudinal follow-up. By integrating mechanistic understanding with contemporary critical care and surgical practices, this chapter provides a structured framework for clinicians managing patients with electrical injuries. Emphasis is placed on recognizing occult injury, anticipating delayed complications, and applying coordinated multidisciplinary strategies to improve outcomes in this complex patient population.

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    popularity
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    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
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    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
hybrid