Meat grinder-related hand injuries: a 50-year systematic review of case reports
Systematic review published in Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open (2025)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Meat grinder-related hand injuries often result in severe tissue damage, including deep lacerations, avulsions, and amputations, leading to significant functional impairments. This systematic review examines injury characteristics, management approaches, and outcomes, based on published case reports and series. METHODS: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. English-language case reports and series from January 1975 to June 2024 were analyzed for demographics, injury patterns, treatments, and outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen studies comprising 121 patients were included, with a slight female predominance (52.89%). Patient ages ranged from 1 to 42 years, and 21.48% presented with hands still entrapped. Fingers were the most frequently injured site (31.40%). Initial management involved debridement (12.39%) and amputations (9.09%). Microsurgical revascularization was attempted in 4.95% of cases. Follow-up data revealed sensory deficits in 57.14% and motor deficits in 46.42% of patients. Only 3 patients utilized prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: Meat grinder-related hand injuries present significant management challenges, with low replantation rates and high rates of long-term functional deficits. Despite surgical interventions, persistent impairments remain common. Further research is necessary to refine treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
50-year systematic review of meat-grinder hand-injury case reports including replantation/revascularization with adjunctive therapies.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This systematic review analyzes 121 cases of meat grinder-related hand injuries from case reports published between January 1975 and June 2024, examining injury characteristics, management approaches (debridement, amputation, microsurgical revascularization), and long-term functional outcomes including sensory and motor deficits. The study found low replantation rates and high rates of persistent functional impairment. There is no mention of leeches, hirudotherapy, or the leech secretome anywhere in the abstract. CAVEAT: This article has no defensible relevance to hirudotherapy or ASH's domain based on its abstract.
Citation
Meat grinder-related hand injuries: a 50-year systematic review of case reports.
Alhusain et al. · Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2025
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