Mixer grinder finger tip injuries and treatment outcome in a rural based tertiary center: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Early morning mixer grinder fingertip injuries is encountered predominantly in females. Most of these injuries happened due to improper use of the grinder like keeping hands into the mixer when still the blades on run immediately after switching off the machine and sometimes during washing the jar. It can lead to injury of either single or multiple finger and either at single or multiple levels. Early wound debridement and reconstruction is essential for good functional outcome, prevention of the deformity and to achieve good cosmesis. The objective of the study was to classify the mixer grinder fingertip injuries and to asses treatment outcome of different type of mixer grinder fingertip injuries.Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 12 patients over a period of 2 years. Data was collected from the previous records and was analysed using SPSS 22 version software. Categorical data was represented in the form of Frequencies and proportions.Results: In the present study most common age group involved is between 26 and 30 years (66.7%) with female predominance and most common hand involved was right hand. D3 involved most frequently and at multiple levels. Most of them were treated under wrist block followed by digital block with very good short term and long term outcome.Conclusions: The treatment of the fingertip injuries should be aimed at preserving the length of the digit by giving adequate wound debridement and primary suturing/flap reconstruction when possible to provide soft-tissue coverage with protective sensation at a minimum.

Epidemiological Study of Fingertip Injuries in a Tertiary Care Center in Kancheepuram District, India

“…In our study, 71% of the injuries occurred at the work place while only [8,9]. However, Hongaiah D et al reported female predominance (75%) in their study on fingertip injuries due to mixer-grinders [10]. In their study, the majority of the patients were housewives, who had sustained the injuries while working in the kitchen.…”

Change in spectrum of hand injuries during COVID-19 lockdown period: Increase in mixer grinder and domestic violence related injuries in lieu of trauma sustained in outdoor activities

“…In our hospital, the department of plastic surgery witnessed a sudden increase in finger/hand injuries due to mixer grinder during the nationwide lockdown. [5,6] Case records of all upper limb injuries including hand injuries in the lockdown period from March 25, 2020, to May 17, 2020, a period of 54 days were examined. There were a total of 32 cases of hand injuries due to mixer grinder, 7 cases of self-inflicted and intended wounds on upper limb, 4 door closing injuries of the hand, 2 cases of scald burns to hand, and 2 cases of upper limb injuries sustained accidentally at home.…”

“…In our hospital, the department of plastic surgery witnessed a sudden increase in finger/hand injuries due to mixer grinder during the nationwide lockdown. [ 5 , 6 ]…”

Deworming the Grinder for Successful Extrication of a Mangled Hand: A Case Report and Review of Literature

“…We reiterate the importance of employees taking every possible preventative safety measure in dealing with machinery equipment. Hongaiah et al discussed in their case study on 12 patients that the most common cause for grinding machine injuries was the usage of the machine without going through the operative manual and accidental injury when machine operators put their hands in the running machine [10].…”