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Non-operative management of a high-pressure water injection injury to the hand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Jaime T. Snarski
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
Robert H. Birkhahn*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, 506 6th St., Brooklyn NY 11215; 718 780-5040, fax 718 780-3153, [email protected]

Abstract

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High-pressure injection injuries to the hand are work-related injuries that can take a devastating toll on the functionality of the affected extremity. Chemical injections are a surgical emergency. Injuries involving only water injection are rarer and have variable management strategies. We report a case of high-pressure injection hand injury due to water only. The patient was managed non-operatively with parenteral antibiotics, narcotics and elevation, with good outcome. We present a review of the literature on high-pressure injection injury.

Type
Case Report • Observations de cas
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2005

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