Severe burns to buttocks and penis due to lighter in pocket

Trung Vuong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City is treating a male patient who suffered burns to his entire thigh, buttocks, penis, and lower abdomen after accidentally leaving a lighter in his pocket.

Patient suffered deep burns from a lighter explosion. Photo provided by the hospital

The patient, Mr. B, 53 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City, was taken to Trung Vuong Hospital by his family for emergency treatment on October 13. According to the patient's family, Mr. B used a mini lighter (plastic type) to light a cigarette and put the lighter in his pocket.

Due to carelessness, the arm holding the cigarette touched his pocket, the lighter may have leaked gas, catching fire and exploding his clothes. His family put out the fire, changed his clothes and immediately took Mr. B to the hospital.

Dr. Pham Trinh Quoc Khanh, Head of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department, Trung Vuong Hospital, said: “The patient suffered from third-degree burns, deep, damaged, and necrotic skin. The patient was at risk of infection because of severe burns to the penis and anus. When giving first aid to the patient, the family only put out the fire and changed clothes, forgetting to pour clean water on the burned area to cool the wound. That was also part of the reason why the burn became deeper and more severe.”

Currently, patient B is being monitored, treated and cared for on-site using anti-infective drugs and pain relief care.

Patient B's deep burns may affect his genitals, making personal hygiene difficult. In the worst case, doctors will have to open a hole through the skin to drain urine and feces to avoid infection.

Dr. Pham Trinh Quoc Khanh warned that this is the first case of a patient with a lighter exploding and causing severe burns that the hospital has received. Lighters should be kept in a safe place, especially away from children and sources of ignition.

According to LDO