ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective To define the major epidemiological features of upper limb penetrating injuries, as well as to identify the causes and the frequency of these lesions at the Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, a hand surgery center in the city of São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods The present study was based on a sample of consecutive patients from our orthopedics and traumatology institute from May 2014 to May 2016. Data were collected by telephone, and a prestructured questionnaire regarding data and features of the lesions was applied. Descriptive statistics and proportions comparison with the chi-squared test were performed with a p-value < 5% considered as statistically significant. Results At first, 1,648 records were considered and, after applying the exclusion criteria and eliminating duplicate records, 598 records were included in the present study. Most of the patients weremale (77.8%), right-handed (95.82%), with an average age of 37.27 years old.Manual laborers were the most injured individuals (50.00%), and fingers were the most affected site (51.84%). Glass was the most frequent etiologic agent (33.77%). The prevalence of amputation was higher in industrial machinery injuries (p < 0.05) when compared with other causes. Younger patients (< 18 years old) had more glass-related injuries, while older patients ( 60 years old) had more traumas caused by power tools (p < 0.05). Women had more injuries resulting from razors and glass (p < 0.05). Manual laborers had a higher frequency of power tools and industrial machinery-related injuries (p < 0.05) and a higher prevalence of amputations (p < 0.05). Conclusion Themost frequent etiology was glass, especially in individuals < 18 years old.Women and older patients (> 60 years old) presented a high frequency of traumas caused by razors and power tools, respectively. More severe injuries were caused by machinery and were related with work activity.
Resumo Objetivo Definir as principais características epidemiológicas dessas lesões, bem como identificar a causa e a frequência de ferimentos penetrantes no membro superior atendidos no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia da nossa instituição. Métodos O estudo se baseou em uma amostra de pacientes consecutivos atendidos no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia dessa instituição, demaio de 2014 amaio de 2016. Os dados foram coletados por contato telefônico, aplicou-se um questionário pré-estruturado sobre os dados e as características das lesões. A análise estatística foi feita de forma descritiva e a comparação das proporções através do teste de quiquadrado, associado ao valor de p, com significância < 5%. Resultados Foramconsiderados 1.648registros inicialmente e, após aplicados os critérios de exclusão e excluídos os duplicados, 598 pacientes foram incluídos na análise final. A maioria dos pacientes era do gênero masculino (77,80%), destros (95,82%), com média no momento do trauma de 37,27 anos. Os trabalhadores manuais foram os mais lesionados (50,00%) e a topografia mais acometida foram os dedos (51,84%). Dentre os agentes etiológicos, destaque para o vidro (33,77%). A prevalência de pacientes comamputação foi maior nos ferimentos por máquinas industriais (p < 0,05) quando comparada com outros agentes etiológicos. Pacientes com menos de 18 anos apresentaram maior frequência de ferimentos ocasionadas por vidro (p < 0,05). Já os pacientes com 60 anos ou mais apresentaram maior prevalência de ferimentos pormáquina de corte (p < 0,05). Mulheres apresentaram maior frequência de ferimentos por lâmina e por vidro (p < 0,05). Os trabalhadores manuais apresentaram maior prevalência de ferimentos por máquinas de corte e industriais (p < 0,05) e maior prevalência de amputações (p < 0,05). Conclusão O agente etiológico mais frequente é o vidro, com relevância maior em menores de 18 anos. Em mulheres e idosos, há grande frequência de lesões causadas por lâminas e máquinas de corte, respectivamente. Lesões de maior gravidade são causadas por máquinas, associadas a atividade laboral.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Wounds and Injuries , Wounds, Penetrating , Serial Cross-Sectional Studies , Hand InjuriesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Machinery injuries account for a substantial share of traumatic upper limb injuries (TULIs) affecting young active individuals. This study is based on the hypothesis that there is an important relationship between the improper use of power saws and TULIs. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence and epidemiology of TULIs caused by power saws and determine the risks related to power saw use. METHODS: A cross-sectional evaluation of medical records from a two-year period was performed. Patients sustaining TULIs related to power saws were analyzed. Data on the epidemiology, site of injury, mechanism of trauma, technical specifications of the tool, cutting material, personal protective equipment, time lost and return to work were obtained. RESULTS: A database search retrieved 193 TULI records, of which 104 were related to power saws. The majority of patients were male (102/104; 98.1%), right-handed (97/104; 93.3%), and manual workers (46/104; 44.2%), with an average age of 46.8 years. The thumb was the most frequently injured site (32/93; 34.4%). Most of the injuries were caused by manual saws (85/104; 81.7%), and masonry saws accounted for 68.2% (58/85) of the cases. Masonry saws improperly used for woodwork resulted in 86.2% (50/58) of the injuries. TULI caused by masonry saws was 5 times higher in manual workers than in other patients. In addition, masonry saws had a risk of kickback 15 times higher than that of other saws, and the risk of injury increased by 5.25 times when the saws were used improperly for wood cutting. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of TULIs related to power saws was demonstrated and was mainly associated with manual saws operated by manual workers that inappropriately used masonry saws for woodworking.