Hand injury in children:a retrospective study of 326 cases

Abstract

Objective To review the epidemiology and therapeutics of hand injuries in children.Methods Between June 2004 and June 2009,the clinical data of 326 patients with hand injuries,who were admitted and treated in Chongqing Children's Hospital,were analyzed retrospectively.Results The 326 patients included 209 males and 117 females with a male to female ratio of 1.79.The majority of the patients were toddlers.Most injuries happened at noon or during 4pm to 8pm.Of these patients,73.6% visited hospital within 8 hours after injuries happened.Most accidents happened in daily life,such as sharp instrument injury,crush injury and bruise injury.Open injuries counted for 92% of all injuries.Fingers were mostly affected,and followed by palm.Laceration and Contusion were common injury patterns.Skin and soft tissue injury or bone fracture were more common than tendon or nerve injury.Of the 326 patients,33 underwent conservative treatments,86 underwent debridement and suturing,81 underwent bone fracture fixation surgery,17 underwent nerve anastomosis,63 underwent tendon anastomosis,28 underwent skin graft or skin flap transplantation,12 underwent limb or finger amputation,45 underwent nail removal surgery and nail bed reconstruction,7 underwent blood vessel anastomosis.Postoperative infection rate was 4.0%.Good outcomes were gained in 91.2% patients.Conclusions Children's hand injury has some unique epidemiological characteristics.Preventive actions should be carried out based on these characteristics to decrease the incidence of hand injury.Early treatments after injury are important to save more hand functions and improve patients'life quality. Key words: Hand Injuries; Epidemiology; Retrospective studies