Long-term disability following high-voltage electric hand injuries

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• High-voltage electric hand injuries pose a significant risk of long-term disability.
• Understanding the differential outcomes between current and noncurrent electrical injuries is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of long-term disability in patients with high-voltage electric hand injuries.
• To compare the functional outcomes and complication rates between current and noncurrent electrical hand injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 58 patients with high-voltage electric hand injuries over ten years.
• Patients categorized into current (Group A) and noncurrent (Group B) injury groups.
• Analysis of operative interventions, amputation rates, and functional deficits at follow-up (3 months to 9 years, average 29.5 months).

Main Results:

• Group A (current): 34 patients, 52 injuries. 21 required surgery; 30% of explored limbs amputated. 58% of remaining extremities had diminished or greatly diminished function.
• Group B (noncurrent): 24 patients, 35 injuries. 23% diminished, 14% greatly diminished, and 3% absent function.
• Amputation rate and functional deficit in Group A align with previous reports.

Conclusions:

• High-voltage current electrical injuries are associated with substantial amputation rates and functional deficits.
• Noncurrent electrical injuries also lead to significant morbidity, but may benefit from nerve/muscle conduction studies and physical therapy.
• Early and appropriate management is essential for optimizing outcomes in electric hand injuries.