Hand injuries in children at King Fahd Hospital of the University in Saudi Arabia (1989-1991)

Abstract

We study the pattern of hand injuries in children presenting to a university hospital in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective study evaluating all pediatric patients 12 years old or less with hand injuries excluding burns that attended the plastic surgery clinic at King Fahd Hospital of the University between January 1989-December 1991. One hundred and one cases were identified. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1, 68% were Saudis. Most injuries were domestic and caused by doors. The commonest type of injury was laceration (32.5%), fingertips were involved in 50.5% of cases. Nerve injury occurred in 21.8%, only digital nerves were affected. Most hand injuries in children occurred at home and are preventable. Familiarity with such injuries by the healthcare providers in emergency situations is of diagnostic and therapeutic importance. This attitude will lead to the best possible outcome functionally and cosmetically. Furthermore, such a practice will go along way in improving the morbidity and mortality pattern of these surgical casualties among innocent children.