Abstract
The incidence of major hand injuries has fortunately declined in Europe in recent years owing to the enforcement of Health and Safety Regulations and the automation of many manual tasks. As the numbers of major injuries decline so too does the surgical skill and experience of the surgeon. Yet, major injuries will still occur and patient expectation will always be driven higher as media encompasses dramatic results from around the world. This symposium draws together experts from Europe and especially from Turkey and India where experience with these injuries is so much greater nowadays than in Western Europe.
Classification is difficult but necessary if outcome comparisons are to be made. A brief outline of available classifications will be given. The speakers will then cover the topic on an anatomical basis including the priorities in the acute management.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
