Dr Stuart Myers

Percutaneous fasciotomy for Dupuytrens

The Dupuytrens cords are divided through a 5 – 10mm incision under local anaesthetic & sedation.


         
In this case after release in the palm there was only partial correction of the deformity so further release was performed in the finger.


       
It is performed as a Day only procedure in the operating theatre.
After 2 days the hands can be washed in the shower & bandaids are applied.


Splints are worn on the hand s at NIGHT for 6 weeks.


The day after surgery a Single dose of Radiotherapy may reduce the rate of recurrent Dupuytren’s disease.
      
Benefits
- Small incisions
- Rapid recovery
- Relatively inexpensive
- Less finger stiffness in the elderly especially if they already have arthritis compared with open fasciectomy.

Disadvantages
- Dupuytrens disease will recur in 50% of patients  within 3 years. This rate may be theoretically improved with the addition of a single  dose of Radiotherapy.
- Less correction of deformity particularly at the PIP joint than open fasciectomy
- May cause more scarring in the hand than Xiaflex injections which may make future surgery more difficult.