ABBREVIATIONS MPJ – Metacarpophalangeal joints PIPJ – Proximal interphalangeal joints DIPJ – Distal interphalangeal joints OIJ – Own interphalangeal joints (PIPJ + DIPJ) DPTB – Deep partial thickness burns ST– Sparing tactics AST – Active surgical tactics KMUH–Kaunas Medical University Hospital MRSA - Meticylin resistant Staphylococcus aureus MSSA - Meticylin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ADP – Autodermoplastics TBSA – Total burn surface area BAH– Burnt area of hand IHF – Impairment of hand’ function AASH – The Association of American Surgeons of Hand 1. INTRODUCTION Hand actively participate in daily activities of a human, therefore hand are the mostly vulnerable part of human’s body. According to the data of various authors, the injuries of hand and fingers make even 30-75% of all industrial traumas (Antonopulos et al. 1992, Burm et al. 1999), and burns of hand make about 6% of all traumas of hand (Mam et al. 1998). According to the data of the Lithuanian Information Center of Health, the number of injuries of shoulder bend and hand in these latter years is increasing constantly (Picture 1). Moreover, every year more than 6000 people sustain burns and about 2000 of them are treated at hospitals. About 500 people, who sustained burns, are treated every year at the specialized hospitals. Burns of one or both hand are diagnosed to about half of hospitalized patients, and deep partial thickness burns of hand are diagnosed to 15-20% of them. a b... [to full text]