Microsurgery
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Management of major penetrating glass injuries to the upper extremities in children and adolescents.
Penetrating glass injuries are a common cause of severe neurovascular damage, both in adults and in children. Frequently, an innocent skin wound disguises the extensive nature of the injuries beneath. Nineteen children and adolescents (ages 3-16 years) with a mean age of 9 years who sustained upper extremity penetrating glass wounds were evaluated retrospectively in order (1) to determine the incidence of unappreciated significant neurologic, musculotendonous, or vascular injury; (2) to provide indications for intraoperative evaluation under anesthesia; and (3) to further define the role of microneurorrhaphy in this population. ⋯ A detailed follow-up evaluation to assess the results of these repairs was carried out from 4 to 9 years postsurgery. There were no clinical problems related to the vascular reconstructions. The results of the nerve repairs in this small series of children and adolescents were remarkably good.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)