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Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume)
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Articles

Hand Injuries During Hand Surgery: A Survey of Intraoperative Sharp Injuries of the Hand Among Hand Surgeons

R. A. LOPEZ
G. M. RAYAN
R. MONLUX

From the Hand Surgery Section, Orthopedic Surgery Department, University of Oklahoma and the INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Correspondence: Ghazi Rayan, MD, 3366 N.W. Expressway, Suite 700, Physicians Bldg. D, Oklahoma City, OK 73132, USA. E-mail: OUHSGMR{at}aol.com.

An e-mail survey comprising 19 questions was directed towards members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) to investigate the prevalence and nature of intraoperative injuries to hand surgeons during hand surgery. The responses were collected, statistical analysis was done and trends were extrapolated. Two hundred members of the ASSH completed the e-mail survey. A hand surgeon in practice for greater than 10 years has a 97% chance of sustaining an intraoperative "sharps" injury. The injury is self-inflicted (88%) in most cases and the index finger (94%) of the left hand (87%) is the most likely site. The suture needle was the cause in 91% of cases. Awareness of the risks and factors associated with hand injuries during hand surgery and adopting intraoperative measures are important strategies for preventing these potentially serious and life-threatening accidents.

Key Words: glove • hand surgery • hepatitis • human immunodeficiency virus • needlestick • percutaneous • puncture • surgeon

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), Vol. 33, No. 5, 661-666 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1753193408090125
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