Incidence, epidemiology, and operative outcome of replantation or revascularisation of injury to the upper extremity.
We retrospectively studied the epidemiology of adult patients admitted for possible replantation or revascularisation of an injured upper extremity during the period June 2003 to May 2008. A total of 121 patients were admitted (71 graded severe), mean 24 (14 graded severe), being admitted each year. The annual rate of amputation injuries in the referral area of 1.5 million was 1.5/100 000 and for severe amputation injuries 0.9/100 000. Most injuries occurred in patients aged 41-50. Fifty-eight patients had the accident during working hours (36 severe), and 62 during leisure time (34 severe). The survival rate for subtotal amputations was 77% and for total amputations 55%. Of 15 further vascularisation procedures, two succeeded at the metacarpal level. Most of the accidents occurred during wood-processing with circular saws or powered wood splitters. More efforts should focus on preventing such injuries.
Department of Hand and Orthopaedic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland. nina.c.lindfors@hus.fi
Nina
N
Lindfors
Timo
T
Raatikainen
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012086:Reoperation; D012092:Replantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery