Functional splinting of upper limb injuries with gauze-based topical negative pressure wound therapy.

Abstract

Complex hand injuries can be difficult to dress effectively and achieve adequate splintage of the hand in a functional position. During the past 7 years, we have had a great deal of success with topical negative-pressure dressings in the management of complex blast-related extremity war injuries. We have more recently changed to using a gauze-based system and have found this particularly useful in dressing complex hand injuries. We have been able to use this vacuum dressing system to splint the hand in a position of function. This provides an easily applied dressing that, through topical negative pressure, promotes wound healing and ensures a resting functional position, thus minimizing postoperative stiffness. We have not been able to achieve this as efficiently with standard dressings and plaster-of-Paris casts. This article details the technique of functional splinting of complex hand injuries using a gauze-based, topical negative-pressure dressing system.

• Authors: Christopher J Taylor, Darren L Chester, Steven L Jeffery
• Journal: The Journal of hand surgery (J Hand Surg Am) Vol. 36 Issue 11 Pg. 1848-51 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1531-6564 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22036283 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Topics

• Blast Injuries (diagnosis, therapy)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Forearm Injuries (diagnosis, therapy)
• Fractures, Open (diagnosis, therapy)
• Hand Injuries (diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Injury Severity Score
• Male
• Military Personnel
• Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy (methods)
• Occlusive Dressings
• Treatment Outcome
• Warfare
• Wound Healing (physiology)