Abstract
Background: While treating an unusual amputation caused by a meat band saw in a 35-year-old butcher, we sought information from the medical literature that would be useful to other physicians who might encounter similar occupational injuries. Methods: Using the Medline database and relevant search terms, we reviewed the literature concerning occupational saw blade injuries and porcine microbiology as they related to this injury. Results: Among meat workers using powered cutting equipment, hand injuries and distal fingertip amputations appear to be common. The greatest risk for a wound infection after open exposure to raw pork meat appears primarily related to environmental flora rather than enteric-borne porcine pathogens. Conclusions: Decision-making strategy when formulating a treatment plan for debridement or reconstruction of saw blade amputations should rely on a detailed understanding of the injury and occupational environment to achieve an optimal patient outcome. When considering operative and antibiotic treatment for porcine meat-related amputation injury, surgeons should adhere to open fracture-related guidelines, since porcine-borne illnesses are most often caused by ingestion rather than transcutaneous inoculation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 383-385 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Occupational Medicine |
| Volume | 57 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Band saw
- Butcher
- Meatpacking
- Occupational accident
- Pork
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
Band saw injury in a butcher. / Rubin, Lee Eric; Miki, Roberto; Taksali, Sudeep; Bernstein, Richard Alan.
In: Occupational Medicine, Vol. 57, No. 5, 01.08.2007, p. 383-385.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Band saw injury in a butcher
AU - Rubin, Lee Eric
AU - Miki, Roberto
AU - Taksali, Sudeep
AU - Bernstein, Richard Alan
PY - 2007/8/1
Y1 - 2007/8/1
N2 - Background: While treating an unusual amputation caused by a meat band saw in a 35-year-old butcher, we sought information from the medical literature that would be useful to other physicians who might encounter similar occupational injuries. Methods: Using the Medline database and relevant search terms, we reviewed the literature concerning occupational saw blade injuries and porcine microbiology as they related to this injury. Results: Among meat workers using powered cutting equipment, hand injuries and distal fingertip amputations appear to be common. The greatest risk for a wound infection after open exposure to raw pork meat appears primarily related to environmental flora rather than enteric-borne porcine pathogens. Conclusions: Decision-making strategy when formulating a treatment plan for debridement or reconstruction of saw blade amputations should rely on a detailed understanding of the injury and occupational environment to achieve an optimal patient outcome. When considering operative and antibiotic treatment for porcine meat-related amputation injury, surgeons should adhere to open fracture-related guidelines, since porcine-borne illnesses are most often caused by ingestion rather than transcutaneous inoculation.
AB - Background: While treating an unusual amputation caused by a meat band saw in a 35-year-old butcher, we sought information from the medical literature that would be useful to other physicians who might encounter similar occupational injuries. Methods: Using the Medline database and relevant search terms, we reviewed the literature concerning occupational saw blade injuries and porcine microbiology as they related to this injury. Results: Among meat workers using powered cutting equipment, hand injuries and distal fingertip amputations appear to be common. The greatest risk for a wound infection after open exposure to raw pork meat appears primarily related to environmental flora rather than enteric-borne porcine pathogens. Conclusions: Decision-making strategy when formulating a treatment plan for debridement or reconstruction of saw blade amputations should rely on a detailed understanding of the injury and occupational environment to achieve an optimal patient outcome. When considering operative and antibiotic treatment for porcine meat-related amputation injury, surgeons should adhere to open fracture-related guidelines, since porcine-borne illnesses are most often caused by ingestion rather than transcutaneous inoculation.
KW - Band saw
KW - Butcher
KW - Meatpacking
KW - Occupational accident
KW - Pork
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34547906097&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34547906097&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/occmed/kqm019
DO - 10.1093/occmed/kqm019
M3 - Article
C2 - 17404393
AN - SCOPUS:34547906097
VL - 57
SP - 383
EP - 385
JO - Occupational Medicine
JF - Occupational Medicine
SN - 0962-7480
IS - 5
ER -