BURN INJURIES CAUSED BY CHIP-PAN FIRES - THE EDINBURGH EXPERIENCE

Thirty-two patients were admitted to the South-East Scotland Burn Unit over a 4-year period (1990-94), with bums sustained as a consequence of chip-pan fires. This represented 7 per cent of all admissions to th e unit. Fourteen patients came from the Edinburgh city area, and 18 fr om surrounding countries. There were 14 males and 18 females, and an a verage age of 51.6 years. The average burn surface area was 4.7 per ce nt. Eighteen patients had barns to their hands, this being the most co mmon area involved. Fourteen patients were managed conservatively, and 18 needed operative intervention. The patients spent an average of 19 .4 days in hospital, and they required 46.3 days for complete healing to take place. Prevention by increased community awareness and widespr ead education is necessary to minimize the incidence, morbidity and co st of this relatively common and preventable type of barn.