BACKGROUND: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of burns to the hand, including the causes, demographic data, management, and outcome in a single center in Southwest China between 2012 and 2017.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 470 patients with hand burns who were treated at a single hospital in Southwest China between 2012 and 2017. Demographic, injury-related, and clinical data were obtained from the clinical electronic data collection system.

RESULTS: In 470 patients, men were more commonly admitted to hospital with hand burns (73.62%). Children under 10 years (29.57%) were the main patient group. Hospital admissions occurred in the coldest months, from December to March (55.11%). In 60.21% of cases, hand burns occurred outside the workplace. Fire (40.42%), electricity (30.85%), and hot liquids (20.21%) were the main causes of hand burns. Data from 428 patients showed that burns with a larger total body surface area and deeper burns were associated with surgery and amputation. Burn depth was a risk factor for skin grafting, and lack of burn cooling before hospital admission increased the risk of amputation. Data from 117 patients with localized burns showed that full-thickness burns and lack of cooling before admission were associated with an increased hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that in Southwest China, prevention programs for children aged 0–9 years, injuries occurring in winter and non-workplace sites, and fire burns were imperative.

Keywords: Accident Prevention, Burns, Epidemiologic Studies, hand injuries, Age Distribution, Burn Units, Hand, Hospitalization, Length of Stay, Risk Factors, Skin Transplantation