Chemical burns in Enugu

Abstract

A three year retrospective study of all cases of chemical burns seen at our Plastic Surgery Unit in Enugu, Nigeria showed that chemical burns represented 3.3% of all cases of burns. Even though the series is small, certain aspects of our chemical burns require emphasis. All our cases were due to intentional acts, a fact that is of medico-legal importance. Facial burns with severe ocular injuries leading to blindness was a common finding. In order to reduce morbidity following chemical burns we re-emphasise the importance of early continuous water irrigation of burn wound and involvement of an ophthalmologist in cases where the face is involved. On preventive measures, we suggest that legal restrictions on the sale of potentially injurious chemicals and measures to curb violence and crime in our society will go a long way in alleviating the problem of chemical burns.