Abstract
The subject was a 32-year-old man who presented with burns to over 85% of the body surface (almost 2nd degree) after from falling into potash lye. We immediately washed the wound with water for 2 hr 15 min. Conservative therapy was then performed in ICU. On day 7, the patient developed septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which were initially improved with antibiotics. However, ARDS subsequently exacerbated and the patient died on day 14. Lung findings on autopsy showed diffuse alveolar damage. These findings were consistent with ARDS, which in turn was suspected to have been caused by the burn itself or infection of the wound. Skin findings on autopsy showed deep burns exceeding the depth diagnosed on clinical assessment. These results raise the possibility that the window of opportunity for surgical treatment might have been missed. Other techniques for diagnosing burn depth must be taken into account when dealing with severe alkaline burns.
