What are the sequelae of electric shock

Electric shock is mainly caused by electric current directly entering the human body, causing body damage or functional disorders. Electricity is everywhere in our lives, and there are many people engaged in electricity-related work. Electric shocks caused by accidents also occur from time to time. Electric shock not only affects our body, but also easily leaves sequelae. So, what are the side effects of electric shock? Let’s take a closer look at them below.

1. Electrical coma

After being electrocuted, patients often experience a brief coma, accounting for 20% to 50% of cases. Consciousness can usually be restored. If there is an injury to the head, in addition to a brief coma, the patient may also become confused and excited. CT examination may reveal local cerebral edema, followed by cerebral softening. When it occurs in a non-functional area, no localized symptoms appear, and it can be recovered after treatment, with no sequelae in the brain.

2. Hemoglobinuria and myoglobinuria

Timely treatment can usually lead to recovery, but in severe cases, there will be certain damage to the kidneys.

3. Apnea (suspended animation), shock, ventricular fibrillation

It often occurs in severe patients. If rescue is not timely, the person may die immediately. After breathing stops, artificial respiration should be continued for a long time until breathing becomes stable again.

4. Local manifestations

There are entrance and exit injury areas, and splice-like muscle necrosis occurs along the area where the current passes. Soft tissue necrosis around the bones is common, and bone and joint injuries are exposed. Severe cases may cause damage to the head, forming a perforated defect, abdominal perforated defect, intestinal damage, lung damage, etc.

5. Jump injury

After an upper limb is electrocuted, injuries to the wrist, front of the elbow, and armpit often occur. This may be because when the electric shock occurs, the muscles are stimulated and contracted, and the upper limb is flexed, forming a new short circuit at the wrist, front of the elbow, and armpit.

6. Damage to blood vessel walls

Blood is a good conductor and electric current can easily pass through it, causing damage to the blood vessel walls, leading to vascular embolism and blood vessel rupture, causing secondary local tissue necrosis and limb necrosis.

7. Wound characteristics

Delayed local tissue necrosis occurs, and the wound continues to deepen and expand. Commonly known as: "Small mouth and big belly, which changes frequently. Looks one way when admitted to hospital and changes again within a few days." The cause is closely related to the local secondary vascular embolism, rupture, and secondary infection and necrosis of the interstitial tissue caused by electric shock. It is also related to the damage to the local tissue cell membrane and the gradual occurrence of tissue necrosis caused by electric current and strong electric field.

The above is an introduction to the sequelae of electric shock. I hope it will be helpful to everyone’s understanding. Electricity is an indispensable thing in our lives. When using electricity, we must take protective measures to avoid causing serious harm to our bodies as much as possible. In addition, if you have experienced electric shock, you must actively seek treatment to avoid serious sequelae.