title: Management of gunshot wounds to the hand: a literature review.
abstract: Hand trauma resulting from firearms is becoming more common in civilian life. In the past, as in wartime, infection was a main source of concern following firearm-related hand injuries, whereas in current civilian life with modern medical care, infection rates are actually low for such injuries. As infection is now of lesser concern, the focus should shift to improve functional outcomes. This review summarizes available literature regarding the management of gunshot wounds to the hand, with particular focus on functional outcomes. In conducting this review, we found that there is not comprehensive information regarding management of gunshot wounds to the hand, and literature discussing functional recovery of the hand is limited. Given the current evidence related to management of gunshot wounds to the hand, we believe that early debridement, antibiotic treatment, reconstruction, and rehabilitation offer patients the best chance for full functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. tturker@surgery.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Tolga
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turker
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Capdarest-Arest
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003286:Contracture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Bone reconstruction; functional recovery; gunshot wound; hand