Summary
Major hand injuries have become a rarity in Western countries. The fact that there
are well trained teams devoted to their management, should not obscure the fact that
the first emergency surgeon has the major role of setting the foundations for a reconstruction.
Understanding the goal to be sought: the ‘acceptable hand’ (one with three fingers,
with near normal length, near normal sensation and a functioning thumb), is hoped
to be of great help in primary care. Preservation of vital structures such as joints,
flexor tendons, and vessels, in the initial debridement, which will help to build
this ‘acceptable hand’ are discussed. The general guidelines for management of finger
amputation and soft tissue problems are also given.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 24, 2007
Accepted:
February 6,
2007
Received:
October 17,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
