Abstract
BACKGROUND: Accidental entrapment of fingers poses treatment challenges in the emergency room. The constriction objects cause edema distally and sometimes digital ischemia. Swift and rationally removing or cutting the entrapment objects save the finger from complications. METHODS: Thirty patients with finger entrapments were retrospectively analyzed between 2016 and 2020. The entrapments were mostly rings and other metals removed using electrical cutting tools. The time delay from injury to removal was recorded and analyzed with digital ischemia. In addition, the immediate and long-term functional outcome, pain scale (visual analogue score), and return to work were examined. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of our study was 16.5 months (range 12-19 months). All patients had multiple unsuccessful attempts of removal. The rings (60%), workplace metals, door handles, and pipe taps were the commonest entrapments in the series. Distal ischemia (37%), circumferential wounds, and neuropraxia (30%) were common presentations in the series. None of the patients had amputations. There is no significant difference in the functional outcome of patients with a delayed presentation (>6 h) to the emergency room (p = 1.0). There is complete recovery of sensation and improved pain scale (p < 0.05) in the follow-up in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Entrapments in fingers are one of the emergencies in hand surgery, where meticulous planning and removal efficiently restore the hand function. Despite delays in presentations to the emergency room and multiple unsuccessful attempts, the electric saw removed the entrapment objects. It achieved immediate pain relief, sensation, vascularity, and an excellent long-term functional outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, Retrospective case study.