Intraoperative burn from a grounding pad of electrosurgical device during breast surgery: A CARE-compliant case report

RATIONAL: Burns at the site of the return electrode (i.e., grounding pad) are possible effects of electrosurgery. Despite this knowledge, however, ignorance or negligence with regards to proper handling of the grounding pads still often occurs. Burn injuries can be easily prevented by taking the necessary precautions; thus, during plastic surgery, careful attention should to be paid. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 38-year-old female patient was admitted to our ward to be performed augmentation mammoplasty. Before the start of the procedure, the grounding pad was placed on the surgical table and the left calf of the patient was placed on the grounding pad. Before using the endoscope, we found a burn on patient's left calf, where the grounding pad had been placed. DIAGNOSIS: It was a 3-cm-by-3-cm-sized full thickness burn. The surrounding areas had no painful sensation with noninfectious sign. INTERVENTION: Debridement and direct closure was performed with elliptical incision of eschar. OUTCOMES: The patient did not require additional surgical procedure anymore and satisfied with the scar. LESSONS: Through this case, we present the appropriate management of electrical burns from a grounding pad, and emphasize the understanding of the mechanism of burn because of electrosurgery, and how to use the grounding pad optimally to minimize the patient's risk.