Genital burns caused by cell phone combustion following a motorcycle accident: a case report
Dublin Core
Title
Genital burns caused by cell phone combustion following a motorcycle accident: a case report
Subject
Cell phone, Genital burns, Deep dermal burn, Full-thickness (third-degree) burn
Description
Abstract
Background Thermal injuries are common in emergency departments, but rarely involve isolated genital burns.
However, burns caused by electronic devices, particularly cell phones, represent an emerging concern.
Case presentation A 47-year-old man presented with third-degree burns to the left anterior thigh, penis, and
scrotum, covering 2% of the total body surface area, accompanied by facial fractures. These injuries had been
sustained in a collision. A burned cell phone was discovered in clothing adjacent to the perineum, leading to
the suspicion that it had ignited in his trouser pocket, causing burns in addition to trauma from the collision. He
underwent surgical debridement and split-thickness skin grafting on hospital day 14. Despite the severity of the
injury, the patient achieved complete epithelialization and recovered pre-injury urological and sexual function by the
3-month follow-up. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of deep dermal and full-thickness genital burns
caused by cell phone combustion.
Conclusions This case highlights the potential for severe thermal injuries from cell phones, possibly exacerbated by
trauma, and underscores the importance of patient education regarding the safe handling and storage of cell phones,
particularly during activities like cycling or motorcycling.
Keywords Cell phone, Genital burns, Deep dermal burn, Full-thickness (third-degree) burn
Background Thermal injuries are common in emergency departments, but rarely involve isolated genital burns.
However, burns caused by electronic devices, particularly cell phones, represent an emerging concern.
Case presentation A 47-year-old man presented with third-degree burns to the left anterior thigh, penis, and
scrotum, covering 2% of the total body surface area, accompanied by facial fractures. These injuries had been
sustained in a collision. A burned cell phone was discovered in clothing adjacent to the perineum, leading to
the suspicion that it had ignited in his trouser pocket, causing burns in addition to trauma from the collision. He
underwent surgical debridement and split-thickness skin grafting on hospital day 14. Despite the severity of the
injury, the patient achieved complete epithelialization and recovered pre-injury urological and sexual function by the
3-month follow-up. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of deep dermal and full-thickness genital burns
caused by cell phone combustion.
Conclusions This case highlights the potential for severe thermal injuries from cell phones, possibly exacerbated by
trauma, and underscores the importance of patient education regarding the safe handling and storage of cell phones,
particularly during activities like cycling or motorcycling.
Keywords Cell phone, Genital burns, Deep dermal burn, Full-thickness (third-degree) burn
Creator
Koshi Ota1,3*, Saki Mizutani1
, Akinori Asaka2
, Yuri Yae2
, Kanna Ota3
, Takashi Nuri2
and Akira Takasu1
, Akinori Asaka2
, Yuri Yae2
, Kanna Ota3
, Takashi Nuri2
and Akira Takasu1
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01002-2
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Koshi Ota1,3*, Saki Mizutani1
, Akinori Asaka2
, Yuri Yae2
, Kanna Ota3
, Takashi Nuri2
and Akira Takasu1, “Genital burns caused by cell phone combustion following a motorcycle accident: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12835.