Percutaneous versus Open release of Trigger finger.

Dr Manjunatha V

Volume : VI, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Percutaneous versus Open release of Trigger finger.

Dr Manjunatha V

Abstract :

 Background: Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common disorder characterized by catching, snapping, or locking of the involved finger that leads to limitation of finger range of motion, pain, and difficulty gripping objects. It is caused by nodule formation or thickening of A1 pulley by its fiocartilage metaplasia resulting in entrapment of the flexor tendon, thus forming a triggering mechanism. Material and Methods: This was a prospective hospital based study conducted from January 2014 to December 2015. Eighty five patients having idiopathic trigger fingers were included in our study, out of these 43 patients (50.59%) were treated by percutaneous technique and 42 (49.41%) were treated by open surgical method in minor operation theatre. Statistical analysis was made based on Fischer exact test. Results: The average surgical time was 4.95 minutes in percutaneous method and 23.1 minutes in open method. In the percutaneous group 18 patients (41.86%) developed a sensation of heaviness and numbness in the region of A1pulley, similar complaint was noticed by 22 patients (52.38%) from open surgical group. Digital nerve injury indicated by hypoaesthesia in involved digit was noted in 7 patients (16.28%) of percutaneous group and 3 patients (7.14%) of open surgical group. Residual triggering was noted in 5 patients (11.63%) from percutaneous method and none of the patients from open surgical method. Superficial infection was noted in 6 patients (14.29%) in open surgical group and none of the patients from percutaneous group developed this complication. Conclusion: Though both percutaneous and open surgical release have their own advantages, both are assaociated with few complications of their own. Percutaneous release requires less time and when done in a proper way is as effective as open surgical release.