Burns Injuries related to Electronic Cigarette Battery Explosions: A Case Report and Current Literature.
Gagandip Sanghera1, 1Royal Brisbane And Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Vaping (electronic cigarettes) has been growing in popularity especially among the younger adolescent age group. Vaping was first introduced in 2003 by a Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik as an aid to smoking cessation. Electronic cigarettes are a battery powered electronic device that have the potential to cause significant burns. The public health concern regarding electronic cigarettes has been focused on the harmful chemicals they contain i.e. nicotine, acetaldehyde, carcinogens, formaldehyde and aerosols. Nevertheless, another significant complication from electronic cigarette usage is electronic cigarette battery explosions leading to significant burns. Overheating of these batteries leads to explosions injuring most commonly the face, hands, thigh or groin area with substantial implications for cosmetic and functional outcomes for patients.
We present a case of a patient with photos showing his deep dermal burns secondary to electronic cigarette battery explosion in a patients pocket requiring extensive management. The flame burn injuries required extensive wound care and skin grafting and exposure to the alkali chemicals released from the battery explosion caused chemical skin burns requiring wound care.
Initially electronic cigarettes were thought to be safer than tobacco however it has recently been brought to light that the toxic chemicals inside vapes i.e. formaldehyde can cause cancer in the long term too. Hence the general population needs ongoing education regarding the effects of vaping and education regarding battery safety. Health professionals and electronic cigarette manufacturers need to inform patients with regards to safe handling practices and develop safety features for electronic cigarette batteries to prevent future burns injuries.
Biography
My name is Gagan Sanghera, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery PHO, currently working at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. I have a special interest in burns and their management.