Hydrofluoric Acid Cutaneous Burns: A Systematic Review of Emergency Management and General Surgical Sequelae

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a highly corrosive and toxic chemical capable of causing deep tissue injury and life-threatening systemic electrolyte disturbances. This study systematically reviews reported cases of dermal HF burns over the past decade, with emphasis on immediate management, systemic toxicity, surgical intervention, and clinical outcomes. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirteen studies comprising individual case reports and one retrospective case series (N=29 patients) were included. HF concentrations ranged from dilute household preparations to highly concentrated industrial exposures, with total body surface area (TBSA) involvement ranging from