Prevalence and Clinical Spectrum of Non-Festival Firecracker Blast Injuries in a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Aim: Cracker burst injuries are one of the devastating injuries that have increased in frequency and severity in the last decade. This study aims to review the prevalence and various presentations of cracker burst injuries, excluding festival seasons (Diwali, New Year, Christmas), due to inadvertent use by children, faulty and poor quality crackers, during death processions and common in cracker manufacturing industries. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients admitted with cracker burst injuries in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Thanjavur Medical College, between December 2022 and December 2024 (excluding festivals). The patients with cracker burst injuries were classified as mild, moderate and severe, and their presentations, management, deformity, functional loss and outcomes were studied. Results: 70 patients with cracker burst injuries were admitted and treated in the department of plastic surgery between December 2022 and December 2024, excluding the injuries happened during festivals. Most of the patients were males. The age group ranged from 2 to 65 years, with an average of 20 years. The most common cause of injury was faulty crackers (device failure), followed by cracker misuse and industrial accidents. Treatment and surgery ranged from simple dressings to amputations. Surgical procedures include tendon and muscle repair, K-wire fixation, flap cover, graft and even amputation. Conclusion: Cracker burst injuries are increasing in frequency nowadays, even during non-festival days. These injuries are preventable by creating proper awareness about the precautionary measures while firing crackers, educating people about the disabilities and functional loss encountered after cracker burst injuries and instructing the manufacturers about the quality control of the crackers.