Biomaterial Database

Does postoperative hand elevation reduce swelling? A randomized study. 2010

R P Baker, and J Field, and C Gozzard, and M C Wyatt, and Y Robertson

Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, UK.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of limb elevation on hand swelling after surgery. We prospectively randomized 113 patients undergoing fasciectomy or a trapeziectomy into one of two groups. The first group had the hand elevated postoperatively and the hands of the second group were not elevated. Hand swelling was assessed using a volumetric method. Although the swelling was less in the elevated group this did not reach statistical significance. Subgroup analysis revealed no further significant differences. There were no complications in patients who did not have limb elevation. This study does not support the routine use of elevation for 24 hours after fasciectomy for Dupuytren's disease and trapeziectomy to reduce hand swelling.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007249	Inflammation	A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.	Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011182	Postoperative Care	The period of care beginning when the patient is removed from surgery and aimed at meeting the patient's psychological and physical needs directly after surgery. (From Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed)	Care, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedures,Procedures, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedure,Procedure, Postoperative
D004387	Dupuytren Contracture	A fibromatosis of the palmar fascia characterized by thickening and contracture of the fibrous bands on the palmar surfaces of the hand and fingers. It arises most commonly in men between the ages of 30 and 50.	Dupuytren's Contracture,Dupuytren's Disease,Fibromatosis, Palmar,Contracture, Dupuytren,Contracture, Dupuytren's,Dupuytren Disease,Dupuytrens Contracture,Dupuytrens Disease,Palmar Fibromatosis
D004487	Edema	Abnormal fluid accumulation in TISSUES or body cavities. Most cases of edema are present under the SKIN in SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE.	Dropsy,Hydrops,Anasarca
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071938	Fasciotomy	Surgical incision on the FASCIA. It is used to decompress compartment pressure (e.g. in COMPARTMENT SYNDROMES; circumferential burns and extremity injuries) or to release contractures (e.g. in DUPUYTREN'S CONTRACTURE).	Fasciectomy
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly