Aim of the Study: To compare our septic hand cases from 2002 with the septic hand cases from 2012 due to the fact that we have the impression that the number and pathology of septic hand conditions has changed in the last few years. Material and Method: We have retrospectively compared, using the available medical documentation, the surgically treated septic hand conditions from 2002 to 2012: number of patients, localization and extension of the septic process, type of tissue affected (skin, subcutaneous tissue, bone, articulation), and the type of the pathogenic germ. Also, number of days from the first symptoms to surgery, length of hospitalization, and number of days needed for return to work were evaluated. Results: In 2002, in total, 52 septic hand cases were operated in our unit compared with 98 in 2012. The most frequently affected was the index finger on the left hand in both periods. Of all, 60% of the patients were male and 40% female in both periods. In 2002, the most frequently affected tissue was the subcutaneous tissue in 63%, and in 2012, the small joints of the hand in 65%. The pathogenic germs remained unchanged. The number of digital amputations grew from 11% to 16%. The time elapsed from the first symptoms to surgery was in average 12 days for both periods. Number of days spent in hospital decreased from 9 to 7 days, but the final healing occurred in average after 44 days in 2012 compared with 30 days in 2002. Conclusions: The number of septic hand conditions has doubled in 10 years. Interestingly, neither the number of affected fingers nor the pathogenic germs had changed. Localization changed from the subcutaneous tissue to the joints level. This was reflected in the increase of number of amputations and the 30% longer period needed for the final healing. It seems obvious that bigger attention should be addressed to early stages of hand infections to prevent articular involvement and unwanted mutilating outcome.
