Sodium Hypochlorite-Induced Upper Extremity Chemical Burns: Case Series of Eight Patients and A Review of the Literature

Background]sodium hypochlorite (naclo) is a chemical compound that is widely used in bleaching, stain removal, disinfection, deodorizing and water treatment. sodium hypochloriteinduced chemical burns have been described and are reported as relatively rare. we report our experience with such cases to illustrate important points regarding management of these burns.[methods]we retrospectively collected the data of nacloinduced upper extremity chemical burn admissions at a military hospital during an eightyear period (2007 2015). survey data included patient age, gender, burn area, burn depth, treatments and followup period.[results]eight patients were admitted to our emergency department with complaints of nacloinduced chemical burns of the upper extremity of skin over an eightyear period. all of the patients were male, with a mean age of 21.25 (19 23) years. four of the burns were diagnosed as seconddegree deep dermal chemical burns and the other four were seconddegree superficial dermal chemical burns. two of the patients with seconddegree deep dermal chemical burn underwent debridement and skin grafting. all of the patients were then followed for three to nine months.[conclusions]we recommend the use of tap water for highvolume, longterm lavage. we are against using neutralization chemicals in order to prevent more unforeseeable catastrophic effects, because it is difficult to determine the composition of exposure from nacloderived household chemicals. after emergency department evaluation, patients should be hospitalized for at least the first 24 48 hours, according to the plastic surgeon’s decision.