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Hands up? A preliminary study on the effect of post-operative hand elevation
1King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa.
Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|November 1, 1988
Summary
Compression bandaging after upper limb surgery can create high intra-compartmental pressures. Combining this with hand elevation may reduce blood flow and pose risks.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Vascular physiology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Compression bandaging is common after upper limb surgery.
- High intra-compartmental pressures can occur with bandaging.
- Reduced skin blood flow is a potential complication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of compression bandaging and hand elevation on upper limb blood flow.
- To assess the safety of combining these post-operative interventions.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of intra-compartmental pressures.
- Assessment of skin blood flow using transcutaneous oxygen pressures.
- Evaluation of compression bandaging and hand elevation interventions.
Main Results:
- Intra-compartmental pressures up to 30 mmHg were observed with compression bandaging.
- Both compression bandaging and hand elevation decreased skin blood flow.
- The combination of hand elevation with post-operative compression bandaging was found to be potentially hazardous.
Conclusions:
- Post-operative compression bandaging can lead to significant intra-compartmental pressures.
- Hand elevation may exacerbate reduced blood flow when used with compression bandages.
- Clinical practice should carefully consider the risks associated with combined interventions.