Functional splinting of upper limb injuries with gauze-based topical negative pressure wound therapy.
Complex hand injuries can be difficult to dress effectively and achieve adequate splintage of the hand in a functional position. During the past 7 years, we have had a great deal of success with topical negative-pressure dressings in the management of complex blast-related extremity war injuries. We have more recently changed to using a gauze-based system and have found this particularly useful in dressing complex hand injuries. We have been able to use this vacuum dressing system to splint the hand in a position of function. This provides an easily applied dressing that, through topical negative pressure, promotes wound healing and ensures a resting functional position, thus minimizing postoperative stiffness. We have not been able to achieve this as efficiently with standard dressings and plaster-of-Paris casts. This article details the technique of functional splinting of complex hand injuries using a gauze-based, topical negative-pressure dressing system.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. christaylor@doctors.org.uk
Christopher J
CJ
Taylor
Darren L
DL
Chester
Steven L
SL
Jeffery
D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014857:Warfare; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology