title: Mechanism and epidemiology of paediatric finger injuries at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the mechanism and epidemiology of paediatric finger injuries in Hong Kong during 2003-2005 and 2010-2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of two case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated teaching hospital, Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of two cohorts of children (age, 0 to 16 years) admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital with finger injuries during two 3-year periods. Comparisons were made between the two groups for age, involved finger(s), mechanism of injury, treatment, and outcome. Telephone interviews were conducted for parents of children who sustained a crushing injury of finger(s) by door.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 137 children (group A) were admitted from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005, and 109 children (group B) were admitted from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012. Overall, the mechanisms and epidemiology of paediatric finger injuries were similar between groups A and B. Most finger injuries occurred in children younger than 5 years (group A, 56%; group B, 76%) and in their home (group A, 67%; group B, 69%). The most common mechanism was crushing injury of finger by door (group A, 33%; group B, 41%) on the hinge side (group A, 63%; group B, 64%). The right hand was most commonly involved. The door was often closed by another child (group A, 37%; group B, 23%) and the injury often occurred in the presence of adults (group A, 60%; group B, 56%). Nailbed injury was the commonest type of injury (group A, 31%; group B, 39%). Fractures occurred in 24% and 23% in groups A and B, respectively. Traumatic finger amputation requiring replantation or revascularisation occurred in 12% and 10% in groups A and B, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crushing injury of finger by door is the most common mechanism of injury among younger children and accounts for a large number of hospital admissions. Serious injuries, such as amputations leading to considerable morbidity, can result. Crushing injury of finger by door occurs even in the presence of adults. There has been no significant decrease in the number of crushing injuries of finger by door in the 5 years between the two studies despite easily available and affordable preventive measures. It is the authors' view that measures aimed at promoting public awareness and education, and safety precautions are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Y W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Clara W Y
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000639:trends*; D000293:Adolescent; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009262:Nails / Q000293:injuries; D012092:Replantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Child; Finger injuries