(1746) Perineal Burns Following a Portable Charger Explosion

Introduction: This case examines severe perineal burns due to a portable charger malfunction in which the charger caught fire and resulted in third degree burns. We aim to offer a public service announcement warning of potential fire risk and urging careful use of any portable charger.

Description: A 19-year-old female was transferred from an outside hospital to the emergency department 16 hours after a flame burn after her portable phone charger exploded in her lap resulting in open flames. She attempted to pat down the flame and remove the clothing, sink water was used to put out the fire. The patient's burn sites were the left hand, bilateral proximal inner thighs, and labia majora. Burn was classified as mixed partial thickness to 8% of TBSA. Medical history positive only for allergies to Ancef and Omnicef. Significant laboratory findings included leukocytosis. She was admitted to Burn Surgery who managed resuscitation, wound care and performed skin grafting for the affected areas. Graft donor site was the right lateral thigh, with tissue put through the Amalgatome set to 0.012 inches. Grafts were then meshed with a Brennan 2:1 on the bilateral inner thighs, left hand was done via pie crust technique, and labia majora burns were not grafted. Graft take was greater than 95%. On post operative day 3 grafts were taken down. She was discharged the next day with a telehealth appointment scheduled in 1 week because the patient was from out of town. She continued to recover well and had no significant events.

Discussion: Burns to the perineum are an uncommon, devastating injury that can impair or destroy function, ability to maintain hygiene and lower self-esteem. Perineal burns account for 3-13% of burns with the common etiologies being scald, flame, chemical and electric. Isolated genital burns in women and children are rare, and abuse is important to consider when identifying the etiology. Initial management is resuscitation and stabilization, followed by wound care and grafting of the burn sites. Urethral catheters are used in patients with large surface area burns or burns around the urethral area to ensure micturition won’t be impeded by tissue swelling. Reconstructive surgery can be sought for aesthetic satisfaction. Outcomes are variable and data is limited due to the rarity of perineal burns.