Frostbite injuries from recreational nitrous oxide use.
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Introduction Recreational use of inhaled nitrous oxide is rapidly increasing. As liquid nitrous oxide (N2O) is cooled to its gaseous form for inhalation, container mishandling can cause frostbite injuries to the face and extremities. Cases (1) 19-year-old male with 2% total body surface area (TBSA) frostbite burn to bilateral inner thighs; (2) 18-year-old female with 1.5% TBSA burn to palm and fingers; (3) 14-year-old female with 4% TBSA burn to bilateral inner thighs; (4) 23-year-old female with 0.5% TBSA burn to fingers; (5) 22-year-old female with 0.2% TBSA frostbite burn to fingers; (6) 21-year-old female with 1.5% TBSA burn to volar forearm; (7) 17-year-old female with 0.5% burn to lips and chin. Outcome Two patients required debridement and skin grafting, which resulted in significant scarring and contour deformity. One patient presented with toxic shock syndrome and required management in the paediatric intensive care unit. All patients required specialised dressings and occupational therapy for scar management and/or hand rehabilitation. Discussion We have observed a cluster of frostbite burns sustained from recreational use of N2O. Healthcare workers should be aware of the practice and be able to recognise and manage the associated injuries.
Source: PubMed
Authors: D Murphy, R Leon, S Carr, C de Blacam
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4394760145