Microsurgical treatment of severe hand injuries caused by chaff cutters: a report of 60 cases
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240424-00106
- VernacularTitle:铡草机绞轧致手部毁损伤显微外科治疗60例
- Author:
Yu CHEN
1
;
Shunan DONG
;
Jiyong JIANG
;
Chengwei LIU
;
Long PENG
;
Hanhui GUAN
Author Information
1. 北京积水潭医院贵州医院上肢修复重建外科,贵阳 550014
- Keywords:
Digit reconstruction;
Severe injury;
Chaff cutter;
Microsurgical technique
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2024;47(4):438-442
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and experiences in diagnosis and treatment of severe hand injuries caused by chaff cutters.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients (193 digits) who had mangled hand injuries caused by chaff cutters and admitted to the Department of Upper Limb Repair and Reconstruction, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital between January 2015 and June 2022. The patients were 39 males and 21 females, with 10 to 72 (mean 42.6) years old of age. The injuries involved 41 right hands and 19 left hands. The extent of hand injuries of soft tissue and bones varied from digit-tips to wrist. Among them, 5 digits were completely destroyed in 8 cases, 3 digits including thumb were destroyed in 12 cases, 4 digits including thumb were destroyed in 10 cases, 3 or more fingers without thumb were destroyed in 8 cases, simple hand destroyed in 8 cases, digits and palm destroyed in 8 cases, and total hand destroyed in 6 cases. The sizes of wound ranged from 1.8 cm×2.0 cm to 6.8 cm×15.6 cm. Based on the wound contamination and conditions of tissue damage, surgical treatment included debridement, stump trimming, in-situ replantation, transpositional replantation, venous bridging flap transfer and emergency or phased free second toe and free flap transfers. The flap sizes were 3.0 cm×5.0 cm-7.0 cm×16.0 cm. Both the reconstructed and flap donor sites were primarily closed in one stage. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted through regular visits of outpatient clinic or via WeChat interviews. The survival and functional recovery of flap and finger were observed.Results:Of the 60 patients, emergency orthotopic replantation of 112 digits were performed with survival of 96 digits; 16 digits transposition replantation were carried out with 12 survived; 5 digits received venous bridging flap transfer with 4 survived; all 5 Flow-through anteriolateral thigh perforator flaps (ALTPFs) were survived; all of 12 phase II digit reconstructions with free second toe transfer survived; and all 18 phase II free flap transfers survived [10 ALTPFs and 8 superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps(SCIAPFs)]. Postoperative complications such as wound exudation and fever happened in 8 patients, and all were rectified after debridement and symptomatic anti-infection treatment. The follow-up ranged 6 to 18 months, with 12 months in average. Hand functions were assessed using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), and the scores achieved at 20.3 to 72.8 points, with 42.6 points ± 16.6 points in average.Conclusion:Severe hand injuries caused by chaff cutters are severe and complicated. A thorough assessment of wound contamination and residual digits and tissues are required. Successful surgical outcomes can be achieved through emergency and elective surgery with multiple microsurgical techniques and multi-phased surgical reconstructions, although overall functional recovery of the injured hand is often not quite realistic.
