A retrospective review of welding related burn injuries at Royal Hobart Hospital
Thomas Whitton1, Andrew Castley1, 1Royal Hobart Hospital Tasmania, Australia
Abstract
Welding injuries represent just over 20% of all work-related burns injuries in Australia (McInnes et al. 2018). A typical welding burn injury results in a flame burn from direct ignition of the welder’s clothing or ignition of a nearby accelerant. There is potential for a both blast and inhalation injuries to occur, particularly when welding in confined spaces. The resulting burns regularly affect important areas such as the hands, arms, axilla and face. The burns are typically deep and often require debridement and skin grafting. A 5-year retrospective review of welding-related burns was undertaken at the Tasmanian Bums Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia. There were 28 burns from welding during the study period. 26 (93%) patients were male and the median age was 38 years (range 20-66). Most burns occurred in the workplace. The median TBSA was 10% (range 0.5-58%). 11 of 28 (40%) patients required inpatient management for debridement and skin grafting – these burns were larger (median TBSA 10%, range 0.5-58%) and predominantly deep dermal or full thickness (94%). Those burns managed as outpatients were smaller (median TBSA <1%, range 0.2-9%) and more superficial, and healed with dressings alone. Welding-related burns remain a common cause of burns in the workplace. These flame burns are typically deep, affect important anatomical sites and require surgical management. Further efforts are needed to educate workers using welding equipment about the risk of burns to prevent them occurring. References: 1)McInnes JA et al., 2018. ’Epidemiology of work-related burn injuries presenting to burn centres in Australia and New Zealand’. Burns 45 (2): 484-493.
Biography
Tom is a Plastic Surgery Registrar with a keen interest in burns and rural health.