Plastic Surgery Essentials for Students-Chapter 15: Hand and Upper Extremity

Chapter 15: Hand and Upper Extremity

Pdf Summary

Chapter 15 of the medical text by Kareem Hassan, MD, and Eamon O’Reilly, MD, covers various aspects of hand and upper extremity anatomy, pathology, and treatment, highlighting the critical role of plastic surgeons in this specialty. The chapter begins by emphasizing the complexity of the hand, as it is comprised of numerous tissues including nerves, muscles, and bones, all of which are essential for its intricate function.<br /><br />The initial sections focus on hand anatomy, detailing nerve distributions (sensory and motor) and muscle systems (flexor and extensor) responsible for hand movements. Diagrams are used to illustrate the anatomy and primary tendon systems, with particular emphasis on the flexor and extensor compartments.<br /><br />Further sections outline the evaluation and management of hand injuries, encompassing initial assessment protocols such as history-taking, examination, and stabilization. Practitioners are advised on the necessity of clearing the patient from trauma before focusing on hand-specific injuries. Clear guidelines for sensory, motor, and vascular evaluations of injured hands are provided.<br /><br />The chapter then delves into early care and definitive treatment protocols, addressing fracture management, joint injuries, congenital defects, infections, tumors, and other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Dupuytren’s contracture. Special injuries are also discussed, including fingertip injuries, amputations, burns, and infection management.<br /><br />Finally, the text details the importance of early intervention and appropriate referral for complex injuries requiring surgical intervention, such as tendon and nerve repair, fracture fixation, and congenital defect correction. The chapter serves as a comprehensive guide for practitioners across various disciplines in the initial and surgical management of hand injuries, emphasizing the contributions of plastic surgery to the field. References are cited for further reading and exploration into specialized topics.

Keywords

hand anatomy

upper extremity

plastic surgery

nerve distribution

muscle systems

hand injuries

fracture management

congenital defects

surgical intervention

Dupuytren’s contracture