Effectiveness of the A-V impulse hand pump

Acute swelling of the hand is a common problem after trauma or surgery and is associated with both pain and loss of function. We describe a prospectiv e study of 47 patients in which we assessed the effects of a pneumatic comp ression device (A-V impulse hand pump) on the swollen hand. The pump reduce d swelling by increasing the velocity of venous return as demonstrated by D uplex scanning of the median cubital vein. Continuous use of the pump for 48 hours gave a reduction of 78.6% in swelli ng of the injured hand compared with the opposite, uninjured side. Even whe n used intermittently, with the pump on for 12 hours out of 24, a statistic ally significant effect was seen. There was a subjective reduction in pain and an objective improvement in fu nction of the hand. Use of the pump resulted in a nearly normal hand by the time of discharge from hospital after, on average, 48 hours.