Open hand fractures: a prospective analysis of functional outcomes and risk factors for infection after initial management in the emergency department

Purpose Open hand fractures are common orthopaedic injuries, historically managed with early debridement in the operating room. Recent studies suggest immediate operative treatment may not be necessary but have been limited by poor follow-up and lack of functional outcomes. This study sought to prospectively evaluate these injuries treated initially in the emergency department (ED), without immediate operative intervention, to determine long-term infectious and functional outcomes using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). Methods Adult patients with open hand fractures managed initially in the ED at a Level-I trauma center were considered for inclusion (2012–2016). Follow-up and MHQ administration occurred at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Logistic regression and Kruskal–Wallis testing were used for analysis. Results Eighty-one patients (110 fractures) were included. Most had Gustilo Type III injuries (65%). Injury mechanisms most commonly included saw/cut (40%) and crush (28%). Nearly half of all patients (46%) had additional injuries involving a nailbed or tendon. Fifteen percent of patients had surgery within 30 days. The average follow-up was 8.9 months, with 68% of patients completing at least 12 months. Eleven patients (14%) developed an infection, of which 4 (5%) required surgery. Subsequent surgery and laceration size were associated with increased odds of infection, and at one-year, functional outcomes were not significantly different regardless of fracture classification, injury mechanism, or surgery. Conclusions Initial ED management of open hand fractures results in reasonable infection rates compared to similar literature and functional recovery demonstrated by MHQ score improvements over time.