(return to index)
HAND AND UPPER LIMB
What is it for?
Releases the contracture of the fingers that occurs in this disease, allowing them to regain extension
What does it mean?
Dupuytren's disease is a pathology that results from a thickening of the palmar fascia (a fibrous layer of the palm of the hand) and some ligaments of the palm and fingers, which leads to the contraction of the fingers in flexion, preventing them from being extended ("stretching of the fingers"). It mainly affects men and the 4th and 5th fingers ("ring and little fingers").
The indication to operate, in a generic way, arises when the patient cannot extend the entire palm and fingers on the table, with areas that do not contact the surface.
Surgery to treat this problem corresponds to the selective removal of this thickening, as well as correction of joint problems that may arise when the contracture is long lasting (joint problems may not be fully corrected if there are severe deformities in the joints)
In some selected cases and in which only one finger is affected, surgery can be avoided and we can perform injection of a product (collagenase) that destroys the thickened fibres, allowing the contracture to be released
Procedure time
Depending on the number of fingers affected and the severity of the contracture, from 45 minutes to 2:30
Type of anaesthesia
Brachial plexus block with or without sedation or general anaesthesia. In simple cases, the use of local anaesthesia may be considered
Scars
The scars follow the thickening of the fibers in order to allow their removal
Hospitalization
No hospitalization required
Recovery
You can resume hand use about 10-12 days after surgery, as long as you avoid straining, which can only be performed after the 4th week
Most frequent problems and risks
Infection, bleeding, injury to sensitive nerves or arteries of the fingers (the latter, more frequent in cases of revision surgery)
Longevity
Dupuytren's disease may progress to the remaining healthy fingers, and in more severe cases it may again affect already treated fingers
