Hair Tourniquet Syndrome of the Toe: Report of Two New Cases
December 2009
in “
Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
”
TLDR Two babies needed surgery to remove hair tightly wrapped around their toes to prevent serious injury.
The document presents two cases of Hair Tourniquet Syndrome (HTS), where a hair or fiber wrapped tightly around the toes of an 18-month-old girl and a 5-month-old boy, causing tissue strangulation. Despite initial non-surgical attempts to remove the hair, surgery was required, involving dorsal paratendinous incisions to release the constriction. The report highlights the challenges in diagnosing HTS, especially when the hair is not visible, and underscores the importance of early detection and management to prevent severe outcomes like amputation. It recommends a specific surgical approach for severe cases and emphasizes the need for parental vigilance to prevent this condition. The paper aims to increase awareness within the pediatric orthopaedic community about HTS and the necessity of prompt intervention.