Glass Related Hand and Wrist Injury: Accidental or Sudden Anger

Abstract

ÖZET Amaç Travmatik el ve el bileği yaralanmaları acil serviste yaygın görülen yaralanmalardır. Ani öfkelenmeye bağlı cama yumruk atma ile iliş-kili el ve el bileği yaralanmaları ülkemizde sıktır. Bu çalışmanın amacı oluş nedenlerine göre cam kesisi ile ilişkili el ve el bileği yaralanmalı hastalarda klinik ve demografik özellikleri analiz etmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem SUMMARY ObjectivesTraumatic hand and wrist injuries are the type of injuries commonly seen in the emergency department (ED). Hand and wrist injuries related to punching windows due to sudden discomposes are frequent in Turkey. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and demographic specifications of hand and wrist injuries related to glass cuts and their underlying causes. MethodsThe patient files who presented to the Dicle University Hospital ED (Diyarbakır-Turkey) with injuries due to glass cuts have been examined. Demographic data of the patients have been recorded in the standard work form and then were analyzed. ResultsOne hundred and fifty four patients were included in the study. 53.8% of the patients constituted those who punched on the glass during an angry episode. Punching on the glass was more frequently observed in men (n=81, 97.6%), with cuts to the right hand being the most frequent type of resulting injury (n=65, 78.3%). Twenty four (28.9%) of the patients with injuries related to glass punching were under the influence of alcohol during the incidents and injury rates of radial artery, ulnar nerve, median nerve and ulnar artery have been found considerably higher in this group. ConclusionsA thorough artery, nerve and tendon examination of the patients presenting to the ED with hand and wrist injuries needed to be performed, and especially for those under the influence of alcohol in order to prevent functional losses of the underlying structures.