THERMAL TRAUMA RESULTING FROM MOTOR-VEHICLE OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE

Burn injury may result from the operation or maintenance of motor vehi cles. We reviewed the experience of one burn center with injuries rela ted to motor vehicle use over the 6 year period 1987-1992. One hundred and fifty patients with motor vehicle related burns were identified c omprising 11.3% of all admissions for this period. The mean extent of burn injury was 22.8% total body surface area with a mean full thickne ss (third degree) burn size of 11.7%. The average hospital length of s tay was 42.41 days. The most common mechanisms of injury were collisio ns resulting in fire (n = 48), carburetor priming (n = 37) and scaldin g from radiator fluid contact (n = 27). Burns resulting from vehicle o peration or maintenance are costly and potentially preventable.