Multiple facial and scalp injuries from petrol explosion: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

Background: Severe injuries if not fatal may follow explosive accidents during welding of petrol containers if adequate protective or precautionary measures are not taken. Materials and Methods: This paper describes two non fatal cases of multiple severe maxillofacial and scalp injuries from an explosion during roadside welding of containers used to store petrol. Results: Two male roadside welders aged 38 years, and 40 years sustained multiple severe maxillofacial, scalp, ocular, auricular and finger injuries in an explosion of petrol containers being repaired by them. They received early intensive resuscitation, and meticulous soft tissue repair, and reduction and immobilisation of fractured facial skeleton within three hours of the injury with satisfactory results. Conclusion: Since severe and or fatal injuries are associated with explosions of petrol con tainers during welding, adequate safety measures are suggested that could prevent such accidents from occurring in future.

Keywords: petrol container, welding, explosion, facial and scalp injuries.

Nigerian Journal of Plastic Surgery Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 20-25