Traumatic hand amputations, the analysis of medical aid on different levels of rural healthcare

Abstract

Aim. The analysis of diagnostic and management measures offered for patients with traumatic hand amputations at different levels of rural healthcare. Methods. The medical charts of 115 patients [including 98 (85.2%) in-patients] aged 14 to 67 years with complete and incomplete traumatic hand amputation treated since 1985 to 2010 were analysed. Results. 81 (70.4%) of patients were of working age, 18 (15.7%) - adolescents (up to 18 years of age). 65 (56.5%) of patients were blue-collar workers, 6 (5.2%) - white-collar workers, 19 (16.5%) - students, 12 (10.4%) - unemployed, 13 (11.3%) - retired. Occupational injuries were registered in 25 (21.7%) of patients, including 24 (36.9%) blue-collar workers and 1 (16.7%) white-collar worker. Traumatic hand amputations due to incised wounds were registered in 1 (0.9%) case, due to bites - 1 (0.9%) case, due to chopped wound - in 26 (22.6%) cases, due to lacerated wounds - in 35 (30.4%) cases, due to high-energy trauma - in 45 (39.1%) cases. No trauma mechanism was registered in patient’s medical charts for 7 (6.1%) cases. Traumatic hand amputations at wrist level were registered in 2 (1.7%) cases, at finger level - in 113 (98.7%) cases. The primary care was provided in regional paramedic stations and regional hospitals to 71 (61.7%) patients. High-energy traumas had the most unfavorable clinical course and were associated with worst prognosis. The chosen reconstructive surgery type depended on the mechanism of trauma, wound shape and size and the condition of surrounding tissues. The local reconstructive surgery was the most frequent choice. Complications were observed in 11.2% of cases (in 27.1% of high-energy trauma cases). Patients became constantly disabled in 4.3% of cases. Most of the medical errors were made at primary care level, including unjustified rejection of wound debridement and improper finger stump debridement. Conclusion. To optimize the medical aid for patients with traumatic hand amputations a continuous theoretical training of medical staff, providing emergency care, in quarterly seminars, is needed. Patients with traumatic hand amputations should be admitted directly to the hospital emergency room, bypassing the outpatient services.