Hair tourniquet syndrome of toes and fingers in infants

OBJECTIVE: Hair tourniquet syndrome is an uncommon condition characterized by strangulation appendages by a hair or thread. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of hair removal and antibiotic therapy in our patients with hair tourniquet syndrome. METHODS: Between January 2012 and August 2018, 16 patients (8 boys, 8 girls; mean age: 118.5 [range: 20 to 380] days) were treated surgically for hair tourniquet syndrome. All patients were treated surgically under local or general anesthesia in the pediatric emergency department or in the operating theater using magnifying loupes. The age, gender, affected fingers or toes and the affected sides of the patients and the duration of symptoms until presentation were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 24 toes and fingers were treated for hair tourniquet syndrome. The right side was affected in 12 patients, the left side was affected in three, and both sides in one. The second toe was affected in three patients, the third toe in eleven, the fourth in six, and the fifth in two patients. Both the thumb and the second finger were affected in one patient. The average duration of the symptoms (excessive crying, swelling, redness) was 1.5 (range: 1 to 2) days. All patients healed without any complications. CONCLUSION: Hair tourniquet syndrome should be kept in mind as an etiology in infants with toe and finger strangulation. These patients should be examined undressed. Immediate removal of hair is an effective treatment method to save appendage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study