Burn Injuries in Kumasi: A Ten-Year Review

Abstract

Objective: To document the clinical and epidemiological features; and the outcome of management of patients with burn injuries at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, from January 2003 to December 2012. 
Patients and Methods: Data on all burn patients managed within the study period were retrieved from the records of the Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU), theatre and Surgical Outpatient Department (SOPD) and analyzed. Data included name, age, sex, cause of
burn, medical and surgical treatment given, post burn complications and the outcome of the treatment.
Results: 1361 patients were treated for burn injuries and their complications at KATH, comprising 707 males and 654 females (M: F = 1.08:1). Ages ranged from 0.25 to 92 years; mean 15.5 (SD 14.1) years, median 11.9 years. About 77% of the patients were
aged 20 years or less; 45% were children aged 10 years or younger. The highest annual admission was 172 patients in 2005; the lowest 104 in 2007. Scalds comprised 60% of the injuries, hot water accounting for 45%. Dry heat was responsible for 37% of the burn
injuries. Chemical burns accounted for 28 (2%) injuries which led to loss of vision in two cases and one death; all of which were through assault. Electrical burns accounted for 12 (0.9%) of the injuries and led to six limb amputations and three deaths, all of them workers
of electricity companies. A total of 162 patients died of burn injuries, giving an overall mortality of 11.9%. The highest annual mortality of 32 (29%) occurred in 2008, which coincided with 4 major burn disasters. Perioperative deaths occurred in four epileptic patients.
Conclusion: Though injuries from hot liquids account for most admissions for burns at KATH, significant morbidity and mortality also result from dry heat. Electrical and chemical burns and epilepsy are increasingly becoming responsible for most burn morbidity.