Secondary procedures following mutilating hand injuries.

Abstract

Mutilating hand injuries result in injury to multiple anatomic structures, which increases the possibility that secondary procedures or staged reconstruction will be necessary. Secondary procedures often are required to provide stable wound coverage, restore sensation, provide bony stability, increase range of motion, or allow prehension, all of which are performed to improve hand function. The patient, the surgeon, and the therapist must all work together to achieve the best functional result following a severe mutilating hand injury.