Infections of the hand

In this paper the importance is stressed of the dangers associated with neglecting hand infections in Paua New Guinea, where, for understandable reasons, there is a tendency for people to be slow in seeking treatment. The prevention of hand infections is emphasised, and the principles in regard to rest, antibiotic therapy, and surgical decompression are discussed. The more common types of hand infection are described, with particular reference to surgical anatomy and surgical drainage. Some of the more complicated infections such as middle palmar and thenar space infections, suppurative tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis are of sufficient importance to warrant the attentions of the specialist surgeon when this is possible.