[Evaluation of long-term results in mutilating hand injuries].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to report the surgical procedures performed in patients with mutilating hand injuries and evaluate the outcomes of treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective evaluation of 130 patients operated between 2000 and 2005 for mutilating hand injuries is presented. Twenty-five of the patients could be followed until the end of rehabilitation. The grip power and ranges of motion in affected joints were determined. Minnesota manipulation speed test and Purdue Pegboard Test were used for evaluation of functional results.


RESULTS
Mean range of motion was 64.7% (minimum: 17%, maximum 96%) of the uninjured extremity. Mean grip strength was 52% (15-80%) of the uninjured extremity. Lateral pinch was 66% (25%-81%) of the contralateral hand and the results were 53% (12%-68%) for key pinch and 52% for tripod pinch. Minnesota manipulation speed test showed satisfactory results in 92% of the patients in hand skill, strength and coordination. A decrease in fine motor skills was observed in Purdue Pegboard Test.


CONCLUSIONS
The main treatment purposes in mutilating hand injuries are obtaining an extremity that is useful in daily activities and if possible that facilitates a return to work.
IST_ EL Hand Surgery, Microsurgery and Rehabilitation Group, Istanbul, Turkey. bulent-ozcelik@hotmail.com
Ismail Bülent
IB
Ozçelik
Hüsrev
H
Purisa
Ilker
I
Sezer
Berkan
B
Mersa
Fatih
F
Kabakaş
Serdar
S
Tuncer
Pinar
P
Celikdelen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult