Fracture management of civilian gunshot wounds to the hand

Civilian gunshot wounds to the hand are typically caused by low-velocity weapons, which create a localized pattern of soft-tissue and bone injury that usually allows for early definitive treatment. A retrospective chart review of 72 patients treated for 98 gunshot wound fractures at an urban level I trauma center was conducted to evaluate the results of limited debridement and early definitive fracture fixation of urban gunshot wound fractures of the hand. The incidence of hand fractures, means of fracture fixation, number of operations, occurrence of infection, and level of patient compliance were determined. Twenty-nine fractures were managed definitively with reduction and splinting in the emergency department or intensive care unit. Sixty-eight fractures were treated surgically, at a mean of 2 days after injury. Eleven patients required more than one operation. The overall infection rate was 8 percent and was not influenced by the fracture fixation method. All infections were superficial and resolved with antibiotics alone. Thirty-nine percent of patients were lost to follow-up after hospital discharge and 85 percent of patients were lost to follow-up before documented fracture healing. Twenty-six percent of patients were lost to follow-up with a removable fixation device in place. Limited debridement and early definitive fracture fixation are associated with low rates of complications for typical civilian handgun wound fractures. Cases with extensive injury or contamination do require a staged approach to treatment. Poor patient compliance in the urban trauma setting should be expected and may affect the management plan.