The surgical treatment and outcomes of high-pressure injection injuries of the hand

High-pressure injection injuries to the hand are uncommon soft tissue traumas of the hand which are frequently underestimated. They are, however, not uncommon among workers in industry using paint, automotive grease, solvents and diesel oil. The prognostic factors are the type, amount and temperature of the material and the pressure of injection. The results of 14 surgically treated high-pressure injection injuries of the hand with a minimum of two years follow-up are reported. Ten cases required soft tissue debridement and foreign body removal. Six required reconstructive microsurgical procedures and one underwent digital tip amputation, which followed major and devastating soft tissue problems. In the present study, we describe the mechanism of the soft tissue damage and the principles of treatment. This study confirms the fact that high-pressure injection injury to the hand is a significant problem, which can easily lead to serious sequelae and, even, amputation.