Hand lacerations. An audit of clinical examination.
Over a 6-month period 147 consecutive deep hand lacerations referred to a plastic surgery department were explored in 136 adult patients. At operation 121 complete tendon divisions, and 72 nerve injuries were found. Accident and emergency (A&E) officers diagnosed only 64% of tendon divisions compared with 84% for the admitting hand surgeons. Nerve injuries were more accurately diagnosed, 87% by A&E officers compared with 94% by hand surgeons. These findings support the view that significant palmar hand lacerations should be referred for a hand surgery opinion.
Patel
J
J
Department of Plastic Surgery, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
Couli
R
R
Harris
P A
PA
Percival
N J
NJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*