Main Article Content
Pattern of chemical burns injuries to the face in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract
Background: The face lends itself readily to attack, being the most accessible to an assailant. These injuries leave in their wake, formidable functional and aesthetic challenges to the victim and the surgeon. The pattern of chemical burns injuries to the face is hereby highlighted.
Objective: The objective is to highlight the pattern of chemical burns injury to the face in Enugu, Nigeria and to contrast it with what obtains in other areas and the developed world.
Design: This was a ten year retrospective study.
Setting: General out-patient department, theatre, wards, records department of National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Nigeria.
Subjects: All acid burns cases to the face presenting to the hospital within the stated period above were included in the study.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 46 patients with chemical injuries to the face presenting at National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH) Enugu between January 1996 and December 2005 (ten years) was made. Records were provided from case files, theatre records, Accident and Emergency Department, records, physiotherapy records.
Results: Forty six patients made up of thirty six males and ten females were seen in this ten year period with a male to female ratio of 3.6:1. Majority of the victims were students and traders (21.7% and 23.9% respectively), and few children (4.35%). The face was mostly targeted.
Conclusion: The problem of cultism needs to be addressed as the second highest number of the victims were students of higher institution, where cultism warfare with acids are common. Easy access to chemicals needs to be curtailed. There is need for proper legislation and enforcement of same.
Objective: The objective is to highlight the pattern of chemical burns injury to the face in Enugu, Nigeria and to contrast it with what obtains in other areas and the developed world.
Design: This was a ten year retrospective study.
Setting: General out-patient department, theatre, wards, records department of National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Nigeria.
Subjects: All acid burns cases to the face presenting to the hospital within the stated period above were included in the study.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 46 patients with chemical injuries to the face presenting at National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH) Enugu between January 1996 and December 2005 (ten years) was made. Records were provided from case files, theatre records, Accident and Emergency Department, records, physiotherapy records.
Results: Forty six patients made up of thirty six males and ten females were seen in this ten year period with a male to female ratio of 3.6:1. Majority of the victims were students and traders (21.7% and 23.9% respectively), and few children (4.35%). The face was mostly targeted.
Conclusion: The problem of cultism needs to be addressed as the second highest number of the victims were students of higher institution, where cultism warfare with acids are common. Easy access to chemicals needs to be curtailed. There is need for proper legislation and enforcement of same.
