Phosphorous burns: evaluation of various modalities for primary treatment.

White phosphorus is used in many types of military munitions, in fireworks, and in industrial and agricultural products. It ignites spontaneously and causes deep thermal injuries. It may also cause multiorgan failure because of its toxic effects on erythrocytes, liver, kidneys, and heart. Our previous studies demonstrated deleterious effects of copper sulfate. Only copious water irrigation was effective. This study examined other modalities of treatment and a free oxygen radical scavenger. One of the treatments seemed to have some beneficial effects, but simple water irrigation was much more effective. Superoxide dismutase, a free radical scavenger, reduced hepatic damage and adjacent skin flap destruction but did not prevent death of the animal receiving the high dose of white phosphorus used in the present setup.