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An Updated Review on the Emergency Management of the Mangled Upper Extremity

  • Trauma to the Upper Extremities (K Eberlin, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This updated review focuses on the emergency management of the mangled upper extremity, which are rare and complex injuries requiring specialized care. Several factors in the acute care setting can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. The purpose of this review is to describe effective strategies to evaluate and treat patients with a mangled upper extremity injury in the emergency setting to optimize successful reconstruction.

Recent Findings

Efficiency of the emergency management of a mangled upper extremity is critical for a successful outcome. The goals of emergency treatment are ultimately to prevent compromise of tissue integrity and infection. Although higher-powered studies are needed to better delineate functional outcomes and complications between preoperative protocols, initial studies have shown promising results with a defined management protocol.

Summary

This review article highlights strategies to effectively and efficiently evaluate and manage patients with mangled upper extremity injuries in the emergency care setting with the goal of maximizing outcome and function following replantation surgery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut St, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    William L. Wang & Lili E. Schindelar

  2. Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center at Thomas Jefferson University, 834 Chestnut St. Suite G114, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Rick Tosti

Authors
  1. William L. Wang
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  2. Lili E. Schindelar
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  3. Rick Tosti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rick Tosti.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Trauma to the Upper Extremities

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Wang, W.L., Schindelar, L.E. & Tosti, R. An Updated Review on the Emergency Management of the Mangled Upper Extremity. Curr Trauma Rep 6, 120–124 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-020-00196-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-020-00196-5

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