Persistent vegetative state in electrical injuries: a 10-year review.

We reviewed 148 cases of electrical injury admitted to our burn centre. The incidence of persistent vegetative state was 3% (n=5), higher in the low-voltage (6.7%) than in high-voltage group (1.2%). At the time of trauma, 44% (n=65) lost consciousness and 50% of these (n=32) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation on arrival at hospital. Of these, 50% recovered (n=16), 22% became comatose (n=7) and 28% (n=9) died. Of the seven comatose patients, five did not show brain oedema but remained in a persistent vegetative state; this state was more common with low-voltage electrical injuries. The public should be warned of this effect of low-voltage trauma.