Management of High- Voltage Electrical Burn of the Scalp and Skull: A Case Report
Sboui Ines *
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
Sbei Feten
Department of Emergency, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
Mahfoudhi Sami
Department of Emergency, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
Hawawra Aws
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
Bellila Senda
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
Mustapha Riadh
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
Sbai Mohamed Ali
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, MT Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Electrical burn injuries of the scalp carry a high risk of extensive tissue destruction and neurological complications. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who sustained a high-voltage electrical burn to the scalp following a domestic accident. The injury progressed to scalp necrosis, outer table skull bone necrosis, and secondary infection. Surgical management included excision of necrotic tissue and bone sequestrectomy, followed by coverage of the defect with local rotation flaps. The postoperative outcome was satisfactory. Deep scalp and skull burns are typically associated with high-voltage electrical injuries. Such patients should be managed in specialized burn centers capable of performing early excision and coverage of devitalized bone with well-vascularized tissue. Preventive strategies for electrical injuries are also discussed.
Keywords: Scalp, skull, high-voltage electrocution, local flaps