NAILGUN INJURIES OF THE HAND

Nailgun injuries of the digits and palm are an occupational hazard for carpenters. Sixty-five percent of all nailgun injuries have been repo rted to involve the hand. Clinically they can be further classified in to three types, varying with the injury and the prognosis. Prompt nail removal after i.v. antibiotics, minimal wound debridement, operative curettement of the nail tract with removal of any foreign material, ir rigation, open wound drainage, and nonoperative treatment of skeletal injuries resulted in healing without infection and with good function in seven cases.