[Stab injuries of the hand]

Stab wounds of the hand should not be dismissed lightly as trifles. It may well be that deep underlying structures are destroyed even if the injury is very small, hardly visible and thus seems to be negligible. As a matter of fact, such injuries are easily overlooked particularly by the patient himself and, possibly, also by an inexperienced nurse or examiner. The most serious consequences can arise from non-diagnosed complete and incomplete injuries of tendons and nerves. The authors emphasise the importance of paying close attention to complete or partial injuries of the extensor tendons and nerves. If at all possible, these should be looked after immediately. Particular emphasis is placed by the authors on complete or partial injuries in the region of the proximal interphalangeal joints, involving the risk of a typical "buttonhole" deformity. Among the typical sequels of a stab injury are lesions of the nerves of the fingers as well as of the flexor and extensor tendons, quite apart from the general danger of an infection. Whereas injuries of the extensor tendons do not place great demands on the skill of the surgeon, injuries of the tendons and nerves in the flexor region are the domain of the hand surgeon.