Four Toddlers Suffer Severe Finger Amputations from Slamming Doors

Four toddlers aged two to five were admitted yesterday to the pediatric emergency department at Safra Children's Hospital, part of the Sheba Medical Center, after heavy balcony or entrance doors slammed on their fingers, causing severe injuries.

Dr. Oren Feldman, director of the pediatric emergency department at Safra, described the cluster of cases as highly unusual, despite such injuries being relatively common.

"In three of the cases, there was a complete amputation of the fingertip, and in another case, a near-complete amputation. We performed reattachment and suturing of the fingers. They are now being monitored by hand surgery specialists at Sheba, and we will continue to follow their recovery, which is expected to be lengthy."

Medical Treatment and Challenges

According to Dr. Feldman, the medical team's immediate priority is managing the pain and anxiety of both the child and the family. After administering pain relief, X-rays are taken to assess bone damage and determine the extent of the injury.

Treatment protocols depend on the location and severity of the trauma:

• Injuries near the joint: Surgeons attempt microvascular surgery to reattach the severed part, focusing primarily on restoring blood supply, as well as repairing damaged tendons and nerves.

• Injuries to the fingertip (nail bed area): In young children, blood vessels in this area are extremely microscopic, making surgical reattachment impossible at times. Even if reattachment is not feasible, a natural healing process of several months occurs, during which tissue and nerves regenerate, provided the bone and joint remain intact.

Fortunately, none of the four children treated yesterday required surgical shortening or permanent amputation of the finger.

Emergency Protocol for Parents

Dr. Feldman emphasized that if a finger segment is completely severed, it must be transported to the hospital using a specific method:

1. Wrap the severed part in a clean, damp gauze pad.

2. Place it inside a sealed plastic bag.

3. Put the bag inside a container with ice. Do not place the severed finger in direct contact with ice or submerge it in water.

4. If the finger is only partially severed, leave it in place, bandage it gently, and seek immediate medical attention.

Additionally, the specialist warned against common household mistakes:

"Under no circumstances should parents apply household substances like coffee grinds or turmeric to the wound to stop bleeding. This damages the tissue and makes surgical repair significantly more difficult. Wash only with water and apply a gentle bandage."

To prevent such accidents, parents are urged to install door stoppers and remain highly vigilant when young children are playing near heavy doors.