Biomaterial Database

High-pressure injection injuries to the hand. 1982

C W Hayes, and H C Pan

Analysis of 14 cases of high-pressure injection injury to the hand revealed that the mechanism of injury, the nature of the injected substance, the site of injection, delay in treatment, and treatment specifics all influence prognosis. Injuries from paint or spray guns appear to be the most devastating; injuries to digits are worse than those to the hand. Paint, thinners, and solvents cause great impairment. Delay in treatment likely compromises the outcome; steroids may be effective in some cases in reducing eventual impairment. Early recognition of the gravity of these wounds is important and early decompression, tetanus prophylaxis, antibiotics, and judicious steroid usage are advocated. Significant impairment results from many high-pressure injuries despite seemingly adequate treatment.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007267	Injections	Introduction of substances into the body using a needle and syringe.	Injectables,Injectable,Injection
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010150	Paint	An emulsion of solid color which when spread over a surface leaves a thin decorative and or protective coating.	Varnish,Paints
D011312	Pressure	A type of stress exerted uniformly in all directions. Its measure is the force exerted per unit area. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Pressures
D003646	Debridement	The removal of foreign material and devitalized or contaminated tissue from or adjacent to a traumatic or infected lesion until surrounding healthy tissue is exposed. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Debridements
D003664	Decompression	Decompression external to the body, most often the slow lessening of external pressure on the whole body (especially in caisson workers, deep sea divers, and persons who ascend to great heights) to prevent DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS. It includes also sudden accidental decompression, but not surgical (local) decompression or decompression applied through body openings.
D005383	Finger Injuries	General or unspecified injuries involving the fingers.	Injuries, Finger,Finger Injury,Injury, Finger
D006230	Hand Injuries	General or unspecified injuries to the hand.	Injuries, Hand,Hand Injury,Injury, Hand
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man