Citation

Hussey K, Knox D, Lambah A, Curnier AP, Holmes JD, Davies M. J. Trauma 2008; 64(1): 170-173.

Affiliation

Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TA.0b013e3180d09996

PMID

18188117

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is a teaching hospital serving a population of over 500,000. A number of nail gun injuries to the hand prompted a review of our management of these injuries and a review of the literature. These are deep penetrating injuries, often contaminated by particles of skin, oil, paper or glue, or caused by nails that are barbed. METHODS: Fifty-five cases of nail gun injury to the hand were reviewed in a retrospective study of injuries presenting to the hospital between January 2000 and June 2004. RESULTS: The population at risk is almost entirely men and involved in the construction industry. Twenty-five percent of cases were found to have tendon, nerve or joint involvement at operation. None of the injuries required anything more than meticulous wound toilet. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first large study to clinically document the actual hand injuries caused by nail guns. An analysis of our treatment patterns suggests a low risk from surgical exploration with several potential benefits.

Language: en