To determine the clinical presentation and management of patients with traumatic finger amputations. Patients who presented to the emergency unit of a major tertiary academic hospital were reviewed prospectively. A data collection form indicating the mechanism of injury and the treatment given among other parameters was completed for each patient. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheets and was then imported into Statistica software version 11.0. Parametric, continuous variables were described using means and standard deviations. Medians and interquartile ranges were used for non-parametric data. Categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentagesPurpose of Study
Methods
Penetrating injuries of the hand and forearm may cause significant morbidity for a patient. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of initial examination of forearm lacerations and pre-operative examination and compare both to the actual findings on surgical exploration. We wanted to identify any factors which may influence the accuracy of the initial examination. Existing literature indicates that there are differences between initial and subsequent examination in terms of picking up injuries. 65 consecutive patients with penetrating injuries to the hand/forearm were studied. The admitting casualty doctor/s completed an admission form indicating their findings on examination. Factors which may have hampered history taking and examination were noted on the form. The same form was filled in prior to surgery by one of the hand registrars after re-examining the patient prior to surgery. A separate surgical form was filled in by the surgeon indicating the actual findings at surgery.Purpose
Methods
