Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Traumatic Hand and Finger Amputations in North Western Iran; A Single Center Experience.

objectiveTo determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hand and finger amputations in patients referring to a single center in northern Iran.

methodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted on 200 traumatic hand amputees hospitalized in Shohada Hospital in Tabriz, Northwestern Iran during a 1-year period in 2014. Data were collected through prospective interviews for variables such as demographic characteristics, accident time; exact anatomical site of amputation; reasons for amputation; amputation mechanism; and having attention deficit symptoms as well as activities causing attention deficit prior to the accident.

resultsThe vast majority of cases were men and women accounted for only 7.5% of injured cases. In 60.5% of cases, the accident occurred on the fingers of their active hand and fingers accounted for almost 95% of accidents. 85.8% of accidents occurred at work . 63.7% of accidents occurred in the evening. 63.67% of accidents occurred in the evening. Among hazardous occupations, agricultural occupations ranked the first followed by sugar cut and pressing jobs. It was found that 10% of the victims were injured while responding a mobile phone call and 3% of the victims reported that they were listening to music through headphones before the accident.  Five percent of the participants reported a quarrel with a colleague and 11.5 % of them reported a quarrel with their employer prior to the accident.

conclusionAmputations are of much importance in men working in given jobs such as agricultural and pressing. Distraction caused by mobiles, music and personal relations with others is considered of importance to be prevented during job. Risk levels for potential risk indicators need to be assessed through controlled studies.