Meat Grinder-related Hand Injuries: A 50-year Systematic Review of Case Reports and Series.

BACKGROUND

Meat grinder-related hand injuries often result in severe tissue damage, including deep lacerations, avulsions, and amputations, leading to significant functional impairments. This systematic review examines injury characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes, based on published case reports and series.

METHODS

A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. English-language case reports and series from January 1975 to June 2024 were analyzed for demographics, injury patterns, treatments, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies comprising 121 patients were included, with a slight female predominance (52.89%). Patient ages ranged from 1 to 42 years, and 21.48% presented with hands still entrapped. Fingers were the most frequently injured site (31.40%). Initial management involved debridement (12.39%) and amputations (9.09%). Microsurgical revascularization was attempted in 4.95% of cases. Follow-up data revealed sensory deficits in 57.14% and motor deficits in 46.42% of patients. Only 3 patients utilized prostheses.

CONCLUSIONS

Meat grinder-related hand injuries present significant management challenges, with low replantation rates and high rates of long-term functional deficits. Despite surgical interventions, persistent impairments remain common. Further research is necessary to refine treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes.