PLASTIC SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN LIGHTNING INJURIES

Lightning injuries affect 1,000 to 1,500 people per year in the United States, While fatalities are uncommon, lightning frequently causes in juries within the treatment purview of the plastic surgeon. Recognitio n of common patterns of lightning injury, their prognosis, and treatme nts are important for the plastic surgeon. Lightning injury, although electrical, is very different from other more common electrical injuri es. Burn injuries are seen, but are usually superficial and heal witho ut surgery. Deep-tissue injury is rare, Neurovascular compromise of th e extremities is common and may lead to plastic surgical consultation for intervention. Spontaneous recovery is the rule, however. Several p atients are described who illustrate these injuries, and treatment gui delines are proposed.