Single ray amputation in traumatic injury of the hand: review of literature

Main Article Content

Filippo Calderazzi
Margherita Menozzi
Alessandro Nosenzo
Cristina Galavotti
Francesco Pogliacomi
Francesco Ceccarelli

Keywords

ray resection, ring finger injury, outcomes, grip strength, pinch strength, review

Abstract

Background and aim of the work: ring avulsion are relatively common hand lesions and are associated with significant disability, especially in hand-workers. The treatment choice is still debatable. We sought to conduct a detailed systematic review in attempt to collate evidence on functional, cosmetic and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following ray amputation for the management of traumatic hand injury and ring avulsion injury.


Methods: using the PubMed database we made a systematic search for articles regarding single ray amputation after traumatic hand lesion. Nine articles met our including criteria and were analysed.


Results: most of the included studies suggest that for those worse cases ray amputation still represent a good option. Indeed ray resection can eliminate the gap, remove a cumbersome or painful digit and guarantes better cosmesis but reduces grip and pinch strength (from 15% to 30%) and decreased palm width.


Conclusions: different surgical techniques are available, almost all of them results in a loss of strength but ensure good both functional and cosmetic results.

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