Mutilating meat mincer injuries of the hand.

A total of 25 cases of acute injuries caused by a meat mincer are presented. Of these, 20 were children. The pattern of injury and the extent of damage to individual digits of the hand are defined. Due to the mutilating nature of the injury, attempts at replantation or revascularization failed in all but two of the ischaemic digits. Emphasis must be placed on the safety and prevention of these dreadful accidents.