The incidence of complex regional pain syndrome after fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture: a prospective observational study of four anesthetic techniques.

The development of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is not an uncommon complication after Dupuytren's surgery. Despite increasing research interest, little is known regarding which patients are at increased risk for developing CRPS and what is the optimal perioperative treatment strategy for preventing the occurrence of this disease after surgery. We prospectively evaluated the use of four anesthetic techniques (general anesthesia, axillary block, and IV regional anesthesia [IVRA] with lidocaine with or without clonidine) for patients undergoing fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture.