Hand (New York, N.Y.)
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Hand (New York, N.Y.) · Nov 2020
Firework Injuries of the Hand: An Analysis of Treatment and Health Care Utilization.
Background: Firework injuries to the hand can be devastating due to the explosive and ballistic nature of these devices. The aim of this study was to describe the injury and treatment characteristics of patients requiring surgery for firework-related hand injuries and to investigate which factors are associated with an increased utilization of health care resources. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing surgery for firework-related hand injuries at two American College of Surgeons level I trauma centers between 2005 and 2016 was performed. ⋯ Conclusions: The morbidity inflicted by firework injuries to individual patients is substantial. Patients with severe injuries undergo a median of three surgical operations and have a long duration of initial hospital stay. Knowing which factors are associated with an increased utilization of resources can help prognosticate these preventable injuries.