Sägeverletzungen der Hand – epidemiologische Aspekte

Abstract

No current studies regarding saw injuries have been published in German literature for quite some time. Despite awareness measures and safety instructions, saw accidents along with crush injuries are the most common causes of severe hand injuries. Approximately 12,000 circular saw injuries occur in Germany each year. Since professional providers have increased prices due to the rising energy costs and a wide range of different home appliance saws are available, increasing use has been made of portable circular saws in the do-it-yourself market sector. At our hospital, we evaluated the data of 51 male patients with saw injuries. The present study investigated factors that may contribute to accidents involving saws. 80 % of the accidents occurred at home, usually on weekends or after work. 51 % of the accidents happened while patients cut firewood. In 84 % of the cases, an electric table saw was used. The majority of severe hand injuries were sustained with lower priced saws. Injuries occurred most frequently between 11 a. m. and 2 p. m., primarily with injuries to bones, tendons, blood vessels and nerves. Replantable amputations or partial amputations occured rarely. In 37 % of the patients, anatomical reconstruction using osteosynthesis and/or microsurgical techniques was performed successfully. Saw injuries to the hand are sustained almost exclusively by men. Serious injuries from low-priced table saws and due to the lack of protective covering are predominant. Preventive measures and mandatory training could reduce the number of saw injuries in the years to come. The results obtained by us largely confirm the data from previous publications.

Editorial

“…Auch wenn die Traumatologie und die Viszeralchirurgie sich weiter voneinander weg entwickeln, ist doch manchmal der Blick in die Nachbargebiete notwendig und nicht zu unterschätzen. In 2 Arbeiten, die ein Update zu Talusfrakturen sowie den Sägeverletzungen der Hand unter epidemiologischen Aspekten geben (beide Veith et al) [4,5], wird dies eindrücklich aus der Klinik von T. Pohlemann, des diesjährigen Präsidenten der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie, demonstriert. Eine dritte Arbeit stellt die Frage "Warum wieder mehr Menschen im Straßenverkehr sterben?"…”

Untitled

“…There is no information on the specific incidence of injuries caused by chopping firewood in Finland, but a total of 67 amputation or crush injuries caused by powered log splitters were operated during a two-year period in the TAUH region [18]. In Germany, 80% of saw injuries take place outside of work and half of the injuries are related to cutting firewood [19]. Powered cutting tools are more likely to cause injuries than an axe, which has been reported to relate to only 10% of the hospitalized wood chopping injuries [20].…”

Untitled

“…There is no information on the specific incidence of injuries caused by chopping firewood in Finland, but a total of 67 amputation or crush injuries caused by powered log splitters were operated during a two-year period in the TAUH region [18]. In Germany, 80% of saw injuries take place outside of work and half of the injuries are related to cutting firewood [19]. Powered cutting tools are more likely to cause injuries than an axe, which has been reported to relate to only 10% of the hospitalized wood chopping injuries [20].…”