The Effect of Anesthesia on Plastic Surgery on the Hand

Abstract

Background: Among specialties, plastic surgery was the most extensive. It covers an extensive variety of anomalies in different body domains, age groups, and genders. Since 2015, our hospitals have begun reporting data on the medical characteristics of patients hospitalized within the burn as well as plastic surgery units. Objective: This study was aimed to analysis and evaluate the clinical findings of patients who underwent plastic surgery on the hand. Patients and methods: A total of 72 patients with hand burns who underwent laser surgery were recruited. The patients’ ages ranged between 20 and 50 years. The data were collected from different hospitals in Iraq over a period extending from 5 July 2022 to 26 November 2023. A questionnaire was administered post-surgery to assess the quality of life and health status of patients, as well as to evaluate the severity of the burn, identify complications resulting from anaesthesia and surgery, quantify the extent of pain, and determine the range of motion and function of the burned hand after surgery using the DASH scale. Results: In terms of laser surgery under anaesthesia, the clinical findings of patients with burned hands revealed that the severity of the burn was classified as first-degree in 16 cases, second-degree in 24 cases, and third-degree in 30 cases. The locations of the burns were fingers in 30 cases, palm in 20 cases, and back in 22 cases. Flames were the most common cause of the burns, present in 29 cases. The most common cause prevalent in the patients was found to be 29 cases. Imaging tests revealed that patients who underwent X-ray scans numbered 38, while those who underwent CT scans numbered 34. The operative time was found to be 2.60 ± 0.33 minutes. Bleeding was found to be present in 12 cases. Anesthesia was classified into local (LA), regional (RA), and general (GA). The number of cases classified as general anaesthesia (GA) was 40, regional anaesthesia (RA) was 18, and local anaesthesia (LA) was 14. The follow-up period was 12 months, with an average length of stay in the hospital of 8.31 ± 2.96 days. Five cases resulted in ICU admission, and the mortality rate was two cases. Conclusion: In order to repair damaged parts of the skin, tissues, as well as underlying structures—which can result in impaired hand function, limited mobility, and hopelessness—plastic surgery is essential in the treatment of hand burns