Surgical odyssey-A high voltage electric burn patient’s journey through multiple surgeries

High voltage electric burns are severe injuries that can cause extensive tissue damage, organ dysfunction and even death. Survivors often require multiple surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, and extensive rehabilitation. Despite advances in burn care, management of high-voltage electric burns remains a significant challenge for healthcare providers. We present a remarkable case of a 32-year-old male who came in contact with high-tension electric wires passing over the terrace of his home. At the time of presentation, the patient had quadriparesis. He sustained major injuries to the scalp and bilateral lower limbs. After receiving initial resuscitation, he underwent a series of surgical procedures ranging from debridements, skin grafting, below-knee amputation, pedicled radial artery forearm flap, trapezius myocutaneous flap, cross-leg flap, fasciocutaneous transposition flap, and tendon reconstruction over a span of 6 years. Over the due course of treatment, the patient was kept on regular follow-up. During the rehabilitation phase, a lower limb prosthesis was fitted, and the patient received physiotherapy on a regular basis. Despite the severity of the injury, the patient survived and made a remarkable recovery in terms of regaining functional independence. This case report demonstrates the potential for substantial clinical recovery in patients with severe high-voltage electric burns using conventional reconstructive methods. The patient’s journey highlights the importance of timely and aggressive surgical intervention, multidisciplinary care and commitment to rehabilitation to optimize outcomes in such complex patients.