Diagnostic and treatment algorithm for patients with electrical injury

Determining the amount of tissue damage in electrical injury at an early stage is an extremely urgent task since the approach and therapeutic strategy depend on it to a great extent. We evaluated the informative value of various diagnostic methods, which enabled us to establish the degree and amount of tissue damage in the early stages after the electrical injury and to develop an algorithm for examining and treating the patients. The algorithm included studying the sensitive and motor function of the affected extremity and determining the creatine phosphokinase level, electroneuromyography, and stimulation neuromyography (preoperatively and intraoperatively). The algorithm allowed an accurate diagnosis of the damage and initiation of surgical treatment at an earlier stage.