Wish You a Happy and Safe Diwali: From a Plastic Surgeon

DEAR EDITOR Diwali or deepavali (deep=lamp) also called “the festival of lights”, is an ancient Hindu festival that has been celebrated in the Indian subcontinent from centuries. Its origins have been mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures like Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. It is celebrated mainly by the Hindus and Sikhs while Jains and Buddhists also observe it to a lesser degree.1 It is celebrated by Indians as well as Non Resident Indians throughout the world with much pomp and vigor according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar in the months of October to November, with decorative drawing designs (Rangoli), sweets, lighting offices and houses with lights and lamps and on the night of Diwali the much popular lighting of fire crackers.1 Firecrackers have been used to celebrate various festivals and celebrations all over the world, from their origins in ancient China for the Chinese New Year, to Halloween in America, Day of Ashura in Morocco, St Bastilles day in France, Diwali in India etc. Every year on the eve of Diwali and 2 days following it the number of patients related to firecracker injuries reach epidemic proportions, so much so that various hospitals including our own deploys special teams with extra trained plastic surgeons and other personnel on these days.1 This study was conducted over a period of two years showing the various types of injuries related to firecrackers that were referred to the burns, reconstructive and plastic surgery department at our institute and to shed some light on the potential and dangerous affects of fire crackers that if not used by professional pyrotechnicians can be hazardous, so that we can truly wish each other, a safe and happy Diwali. The study conducted in our tertiary care institute in North India, on the eve of two Diwalis of 2014 and 2015, and the 2 days following it for the two consecutive years. All patients with firecracker injuries were assessed for site and depth of lacerations/ blowout injuries and extent and depth of burns. Wounds were thoroughly debrided, washed and dressed with moist dressings until final surgical management/healing. Forty patients were referred to the division of burns, reconstructive and plastic surgery of our institution for the management of injuries associated with firecrackers. There were 18 patients referred in the 2014 Diwali and 22 patients in the 2015 Diwali. There were 32 males and 8 females (M/F: 4/1). The mean age observed was 19.92±4.19 years. Youngest patient Letter to Editor