[ XXXX caused by fireworks and treated by plastic surgeons].

@entity1 @entity5883 @entity130
OBJECTIVE: To make an inventory of the number and nature of @entity5883 caused by private firework use in the Netherlands during the New Year celebrations 2013-2014 and that were seen and treated by plastic surgeons. DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHOD: In October 2013 the Netherlands Association of Plastic Surgeons (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Plastische Chirurgie) asked its members to register @entity1 treated for @entity5883 caused by fireworks during the New Year celebrations 2013-2014. The registration form was sent to all members by email. @entity1 data, the sort of firework, the nature of and treatment for the @entity130 of the fireworks were registered. It was also important to note which hand was affected, whether it was the dominant hand and how many fingers were involved. Finger, thumb and hand amputations were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 76 @entity1 were seen by a plastic surgeon for the treatment of @entity5883 caused by fireworks. The @entity1 were all male. In 50% of @entity1 the injury was caused by setting off illegal fireworks. The largest group of victims were aged < 18 years. In 7 @entity1 the hand was amputated to the level of the radiocarpal joint. A total of 232 fingers were injured by fireworks, leading to 63 total finger amputations, including 11 total thumb amputations. Many serious injuries occurred outside the legally permitted time period for setting off fireworks. CONCLUSION: The number of victims with serious @entity5883 caused by fireworks was high during the New Year celebrations 2013-2014 and had increased in comparison with the preceding year. The majority of victims were aged < 18 years and were injured while setting off illegal fireworks by themselves.
