Revisiting Amputation Rates in High-Pressure Injection Injuries

• Published in: Journal of hand surgery global online Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 540 - 544
• Main Authors: Jakkaraju, Sohan Kumar, Sager, Brian W., Brady, Christina I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amputation; Hand; High-pressure injection injury; Morbidity; Original Research; Trauma; Hand; Trauma; Morbidity; Amputation; High-pressure injection injury
• ISSN: 2589-5141; 2589-5141
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.04.007

High-pressure injection injuries are a rare, and potentially serious, trauma that has historically been associated with high-amputation rates. This study aimed to assess the amputation rates, materials involved, and outcomes at a single institution.
A retrospective analysis of 53 cases at a level-1 trauma center in South Central Texas between 2007 and 2023 was conducted. Patient demographics, injury details, materials injected, surgical interventions, complications, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.
There was an amputation rate of 2.2. Latex-based paints showed more favorable outcomes when compared with grease injections and oil-based paints. There were also fewer reoperations and postoperative complications with latex-based paint injuries.
The study signals the need for a re-evaluation of high-pressure injection injury outcomes, highlighting a more optimistic prognosis than previously thought. The evolution of materials in paints, especially latex-based paints, may have been associated with a lower rate of amputation than what was previously reported.
Prognostic IV.