Review of community-referred hand infections.

PURPOSE

A retrospective review is presented of 76 patients with infections of the hand, referred from the community and admitted to our plastic surgery unit for treatment over a 30 month period.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review and review of the pertinent English-language literature.

RESULTS

The majority of the patients (82%) were male. Most incidents leading to infection happened at home (47%). All except two patients presented with cellulitis, and 55% had abscess formation. The most common site of infection was the digits followed by the dorsum of the hand. The average time to operative drainage was 6 h. Only seven patients (9%) were managed non-operatively. The mean duration of follow up was 51 days. Age and positive cultures were good predictors of the hospital stay and the number of operative procedures, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hand infections are surgical emergencies; correct and prompt management thus is essential. A quick and effective regimen for treatment yielded good results.