Perineal burns: Epidemiology, severity factors, management issues and outcome
Peerzada Umar Farooq Baba, Raheeb Ahmad Shah, Altaf Rasool, Ankush Kaul, Adil Hafeez Wani
Abstract
Perineal burns have a direct bearing on the quality of life with physical, functional, sexual, and psychological ramifications. These are defined as major burns requiring referral to a burn centre for management. Isolated genital burns are unusual, and are typically seen as part of larger burns with longer hospital stays and high morbidity and mortality. The study was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns (SKIMS), Srinagar, India from 2016 to 2020. 10.1% of patients (51/503) qualified as perineal burns. The average age was 16.92 ± 45.18 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1. 59% of patients were of the pediatric group and 60% of them were scalds, while flame burns predominate (71.4%) in the adults. 13% were caused by firepot/hot-air blower. The average percentage of body surface area involved was 38.40 ± 114. Most burns were second-degree superficial (70.6%). Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission was required in 21.6% of patients. Surgery was required in 17.6% of cases. The mortality rate was 21.6%. The real incidence of perineal burns might be much higher than reported. They act as a predictor for the need for ICU care and mortality in the adult population. Firepot/hot air blower causing full-thickness burns are not infrequent in colder places; so, these hold a promising position when dispensing preventive measures. Conservative management has excellent results.