Muhammad Ahmad.
Hand infection: a five years review in a private setup.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;23(1):30-4.

Objective: To study the different types of hand infections, management and residual complications Study Design: Descriptive Study Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out from 2005 to 2010 in a private setup. Material and Methods: The study was carried out from 2005 to 2010 in a private setup. All the patients presenting with hand infections were included. Patients with crush injury, blast injuries, burns and open fractures were excluded. The cause and presenting features were noted. All the procedures were done under local or general anaesthesia with tourniquet control. Any co-morbid condition was also noted. Results: A total of 117 patients were included in the study. The male to female ratios was 1.34:1. The mean age of male patients was 3501 years and 29.0 years in female patients. Majority of the patients (58.1%) did not know about the cause. History of trauma was found in 31.6% of the patients. Right hand was dominant to be involved in 58.1% patients. Paronychia (35.9%) was the commonest presentation followed by web space abscess (10.3%). Staph.aureus (38.5%) was the most frequently isolated microorganism. Stiffness was found in only 5.9% cases and osteomyelitis was noticed in 2.6% of the patients. Conclusions: Hand infections are a common presentation. The complications can be minimized if early and prompt treatment is instituted.

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