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[Infections of the hand]
1Abteilung für Hand- und periphere Nervenchirurgie, Kantonsspital Basel.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Hand injuries frequently cause infections, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Effective management involves surgical intervention, immobilization, and rehabilitation to restore function and prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hand Surgery
Context:
- Hand injuries are common, leading to a high incidence of infections.
- Clinical signs of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and loss of function, are prevalent.
- Predisposing factors include bites, foreign bodies, and open wounds, particularly from agricultural or slaughterhouse settings.
Purpose:
- To outline a comprehensive protocol for diagnosing and treating hand infections.
- To emphasize the importance of exact diagnostics, including clinical assessment, laboratory tests, bacteriology, and imaging.
- To detail the surgical and non-surgical management strategies for various hand infections.
Summary:
- Treatment necessitates accurate diagnostics and a structured protocol, including operative management (incision, irrigation, drainage, debridement) adhering to hand surgery principles.
- Immobilization in the intrinsic-plus position followed by early mobilization with occupational and physical therapy is crucial.
- Antibiotics are reserved for septic or complicated cases and should complement, not replace, proper treatment. Common infections like paronychia and felon require incision and drainage, while severe infections necessitate surgical intervention.
Impact:
- Adherence to this protocol can improve outcomes for patients with hand infections.
- Timely and appropriate treatment can prevent long-term complications such as loss of function and contractures.
- Highlights the imperative for operative treatment in cases of deep-seated infections with pus formation.