PHENOL BURNS AND INTOXICATIONS

Phenol burns and intoxications are life-threatening injuries. Roughly 50 per cent of all reported cases have a fatal outcome. Only a small n umber of cases have been reported with high serum concentrations after phenol burns who survived. In our own experience a patient with 20.5 per cent total body surface area deep partial skin thickness phenol bu rns and serum concentrations of 17 400 mug/litre survived after immedi ate and repeated treatment of the scalds with polyethylene glycol (PEG ) and silver sulphadiazine. A literature review of experiences with ph enol intoxications reveals the advantages of PEG application. Question s on the need for enforced diuresis and haemodialysis as well as the i nitial treatment procedures are discusses. Advantages of different sol utions for local therapy are reported.