
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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