Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
J Burn Care Res. 2024 Nov 14;45(6):1636-1640. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irae157.
Lithium-ion batteries are used in many commercial products such as electronics, cell phones, and e-cigarettes. The use of these batteries has become widespread over recent years due to their chargeability and long-lasting performance. Though a rare occurrence, lithium-ion batteries can fail due to myriad battery defects, which can cause fires and burns. One particular concern is that of thermal runaway, a critical failure marked by a sudden exothermic reaction that occurs as a result of damage to the lithium battery. Thermal runaway can produce heat in excess of 1800 °F, causing severe burns to individuals in close proximity. A 39-year-old man presented to an emergency department (ED) with full-thickness burns to his right foot after an episode of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway in his footwarmer. The patient's boot suddenly and unexpectedly caught fire for several seconds prior to being successfully removed. The patient subsequently underwent several weeks of debridements, auto- and homografting, and wound care before eventually making a full recovery. This case highlights the rare, but serious, risk posed by lithium-ion batteries as a result of thermal runaway. This phenomenon can cause devastating full-thickness burns in a matter of seconds. As lithium-ion-powered appliances grow in popularity, stringent safety measures should be implemented to prevent catastrophic injuries. Furthermore, healthcare providers should be made aware of injuries caused by thermal runaway to appropriately treat patients.
锂离子电池被广泛应用于各种商业产品，如电子产品、手机和电子烟。由于其可充电性和持久的性能，近年来这些电池的使用变得越来越普遍。尽管这种情况很少发生，但锂离子电池可能会因各种电池缺陷而失效，从而导致火灾和灼伤。一个特别令人关注的问题是热失控，这是一种由锂电池损坏引起的突然放热反应的关键故障。热失控会产生超过 1800°F 的热量，导致近距离的人严重灼伤。一名 39 岁的男子因脚部暖脚器锂离子电池热失控而导致右脚全层烧伤，到急诊部就诊。在成功移除之前，患者的靴子突然意外地燃烧了几秒钟。随后，患者接受了数周的清创、自体和同种异体移植以及伤口护理，最终完全康复。这个案例突出了锂离子电池因热失控而带来的罕见但严重的风险。这种现象可能会在几秒钟内导致毁灭性的全层烧伤。随着锂离子驱动的电器越来越受欢迎，应该采取严格的安全措施来防止灾难性的伤害。此外，应该让医疗保健提供者了解热失控造成的伤害，以便对患者进行适当的治疗。
