Abstract
Background
Several types of injuries associated with electronic cigarette malfunction have been
reported in the literature since their introduction to the U.S. market in 2007. The
traumatic consequences of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) malfunction remain
an under-researched topic.
Objectives
Using information from a national database of emergency department (ED) visits, we
sought to characterize the nature and frequency of ENDS injuries over a 10-year study
period.
Methods
Archived information from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was accessed
for the years 2008 to 2017. Incidents related to ENDS-related trauma were manually
identified. Data extracted included patient demographics, injury type and location,
and patient disposition.
Results
A total of 49 incidents were recorded during the years 2008 to 2017, including 18
cases in 2017, 25 cases in 2016, five cases in 2015, and one case in 2013. There were
no identified ED visits for an e-cigarette-related burn or explosion prior to 2013.
Using statistical weights, the estimated annual national incidence is 835 cases. Most
of the injuries were thermal burns. The primary location of injury was in the lower
extremity, followed by the upper extremity and hand.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates a significant increase in the number of ENDS-related injuries
over the study period, particularly in males under the age of 45 years. This rise
mirrors the growth of the ENDS market and this trend can be expected to continue.
As the use of ENDS is expected to increase, physicians should become familiar with
the nature of associated injuries.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 30, 2019
Accepted:
May 16,
2019
Received in revised form:
May 9,
2019
Received:
March 13,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
