Keywords
idli plate - finger - domestic injury
Introduction
Fingers getting stuck in kitchen utensils, doorknobs, and railings are not uncommon
injuries in children. It happens when the edges of the entry point are smooth and
the other end is sharp making retrieval difficult. Once the finger gets stuck, the
resultant distal edema prevents easy return of the finger. The ill-judged attempts
of pulling the finger could result in circumferential degloving and injury to the
neurovascular structures. The distal bunching up of the skin and soft tissue makes
retrieval almost impossible.
We are reporting a technique for safe retrieval of such fingers stuck in tight rings.
Case Report
The left index finger of a 4-year-old child was stuck in the central hole of an idli
plate ([Fig. 1]). Idli plate is a common kitchen utensil in South India. The margin of the hole
is made of tough stainless steel. This central hole is surrounded by a cup of 3 cm
that facilitates the stacking of one plate over another. The cup is soldered to the
base plate. This cup-like extension of the utensil restricts access to cutting equipment
and makes simple non-cutting removal techniques such as the string wrap,[1]
[2]
[3] elastic pull,[4] or glove pull impossible.[5]
Fig. 1 Picture of the ring finger stuck in an idli plate with circumferential laceration
in the base and venous congestion.
The child was taken to a hospital where manipulation to retrieve the finger under
local anesthesia resulted in a circumferential skin wound in the middle of proximal
phalanx, dividing the dorsal veins, palmar vessels, and nerves.
The “Parachute Technique”
The “Parachute Technique”
On admission, the child was made pain free with ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block
under intravenous sedation.[6] Examination revealed circumferential skin laceration with possible injury to vessels
and nerves. The finger was vascular but congested. There was bunching up of skin distal
to the constricting plate.
A pneumatic tourniquet was applied after good hand elevation. The distal degloved
skin edges were tagged with strong 3-0 Prolene horizontal mattress grasping sutures
at six points, three over the dorsum and three over the palmar side of the finger
and left long ([Fig. 2]). Each suture was then passed underneath the ring sequentially and kept on gentle
traction with artery forceps. The skin edges were then gently guided beneath the plate
until the entire circumference was withdrawn beneath the ring. All sutures were then
held on traction like the strings of a parachute ([Fig. 3]). To prevent secondary iatrogenic injury, the finger of a surgical glove was cut
and placed over the finger, with its base underneath the plate to form a soft shield
and edges held with artery forceps ([Fig. 4]).
Fig. 2 Application of thick Prolene sutures to the skin edges.
Fig. 3 Sutures with the skin passing beneath the constricting ring and the skin was brought
with traction at the edges.
Fig. 4 Thick surgical glove wrapping the finger and passing beneath the ring.
“Walking” the Idli Plate Out
“Walking” the Idli Plate Out
By maintaining constant traction on the proximal end of the degloved skin and with
lubrication around the glove, the plate was slowly and gently walked out by alternative
movements of its dorsal and palmar halves. The maneuver done needs patience as it
moves only by approximately 0.5 to 1 mm with each attempt. Gentle but firm skin traction
is maintained with the sutures. Once the plate reached the proximal interphalangeal
(PIP) joint, it again met with resistance of the bunched up and swollen dorsal skin.
This was overcome by gently flexing the PIP joint and walking the dorsal edge of the
plate over the joint ([Supplementary Video 1, online only]). The palmar edge of the plate then slipped out by straightening the finger ([Fig. 5]).
Supplementary Video 1 A short illustrative video demonstrating the “parachute technique.”
Fig. 5 Picture immediately after removal of the plate.
After removal of the plate, the wound was explored. Both ulnar and radial digital
arteries and nerves were found divided. A branch of the ulnar digital artery maintained
distal arterial circulation, but the finger showed venous compromise. Microvascular
repair of a dorsal vein was done with 11-0 Ethilon, and the digital nerves were coapted.
Skin edges were loosely approximated.
The finger survived, and the patient was discharged after a week. At 10 months follow-up,
the finger joints showed full range of motion with a good aesthetic appearance ([Fig. 6]). She is using the hand for all daily activities, and the parents expressed complete
satisfaction with the outcome.
Fig. 6 The hand at 10 months follow-up
Discussion
An entrapment injury can be caused by any object which has a hole adequate enough
to admit the finger of a child, ranging from the so-called safe plastic toys, kitchen
utensils,[7]
[8] door latches,[9] rubber bands to even toy hair thread. Entrapment usually occurs proximal to the
PIP joint which is the point of greatest circumference.
If appropriate retrieval efforts are not made, it results in damage to neurovascular
structures and skin. We provide brachial plexus block under sedation or general anesthesia
as the first step. We do not prefer digital blocks. It can cause more local swelling.
An unsedated child makes any attempt impossible, and the child's response can result
in further injury. Methods of removal of the trapping object include cutting and non-cutting
methods.[9]
Management of idli plate entrapment of the pediatric finger with mechanical cutters
has been described.[7]
[8] They are difficult to sterilize and can cause injuries.[10] Our atraumatic technique is useful when there is distal bunching up of the skin
and there are limitations to accessing power tools. This technique also avoids the
risk of further injury to both the patient and the “novice” power tool operator—the
surgeon. The use of the smooth glove to cover the finger allows us to lubricate it
well and helps in walking the plate out of the hand. The use of the glove differs
from a previously described technique where it is used for traction.[5] Patience is essential, and this can only be done in a calm child. The same anesthesia
is used to debride and repair the damaged structures after the finger retrieval.
Conclusion
Once degloving of the skin happens in a stuck finger, further attempts result in complicating
the procedure. We have described a procedure for getting the damaged skin through
the ring with the help of strategically placed skin sutures and the use of a glove
to provide a smooth surface to walk the finger out through the ring. Good anesthesia
is essential. This technique is called the parachute technique as sutures that come
out resemble the side strings of the parachute.
