Percutaneous hypodermic needling technique versus monofilament suture repair of partial finger amputation injuries – A comparative study

Abstract

Context: Partial finger amputations are commonly encountered in the emergency room and are often inadequately treated. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the results of wound debridement, followed by primary wound closure with multiple percutaneous hypodermic needles versus closure with monofilament nonabsorbable sutures. Settings and Design: Comparative prospective study on the management of partial amputations of fingers was conducted in patients between 18 and 60 years at a tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods: We compared two different techniques of management of fingertip injuries. Group A comprised percutaneous hypodermic needling. Group B included suture technique using monofilament nonabsorbable suture. Patients not willing to participate, crush injuries, injuries involving more than 80% of digit circumference and digital arterial injury, complete amputation, and finger injuries with polytrauma were excluded from the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The right hand (dominant side) was involved more commonly in both groups. Secondary procedures, infection rate, healing time, and the cost of the procedure from primary procedure to complete healing of the digit/s were all higher in Group B. Final appearance of the digit(s) based on skin color was better in Group A. Conclusion: Percutaneous hypodermic needling technique is a simple, novel technique which provides a better result in comparison to suture technique in terms of the requirement for secondary procedures, wound healing time, infection rate, cost of the overall procedure, and the final appearance of the digit on complete healing.

Keywords

• fingertip ischemia
• marginal necrosis
• nonabsorbable suture
• partial finger amputation
• percutaneous needling