Scalp burns: experience in 11 cases

Background: The scalp is the most external and important barrier of the skull and brain. Its burns are often caused by high voltage injuries, fire, liquid or other heat sources. Aim: To report a series of cases of scalp burns seen during the last 10 years. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of patients that required hospital admission with a main diagnosis of scalp burn. Results: There were 2.266 consultations for head burns. Of these, 34 patients consulted with scalp burns and 11 were hospitalized. Four were due to electrical burns and four due to fire. As treatment in one case, a free flap was used but failed and required local advancement flaps. For the management of sequelae, expanders and then local advancement flaps were used. Conclusions: Only a small proportion of patients presenting with head burns, had scalp burns. Most were treated as outpatients and did not require further action. The four patients with electrical burns required more aggressive treatments. For the management the sequelae, expanders and local advancement flaps were used.