Sonographically controlled minimally-invasive A1 pulley release using a new guide instrument - a case series of 106 procedures in 64 patients.

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

Department of Hand Surgery, University Hospital Berne, Inselspital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 10, CH-3010, Berne, Switzerland.

Published: November 2023

AI Article Synopsis

  • This study evaluates the effectiveness of a sonographically guided minimally-invasive procedure for treating trigger finger, analyzing data from 106 procedures performed on 64 patients.
  • A specialized guide instrument was developed and improved after early complications, leading to a high success rate of 97.3% in later operations.
  • Most patients experienced quick recovery, returning to normal activities within two weeks, demonstrating that this technique can be both safe and reliable with the right tools and expertise.

Article Abstract

Background: With percutaneous and minimally-invasive pulley release becoming more popular, safety and reliability of such minimally-invasive procedures remain a concern. Visualization of the technical steps by ultrasound suggests increased safety but shows the potential for harm to tendons, nerves and vessels without proper instrumentation. We present the results of implementing a sonographically guided minimally-invasive procedure in 106 trigger digits of 64 patients between 2018-2021.

Methods: A guide instrument for use with a commercially available hook knife was developed and tested in 16 cadaver hands. Due to complication early in our clinical series this guide was modified in due course. A revised design of the guide has been in use since November 2019 with improved performance and safety.

Results: One hundred six procedures in 64 patients were performed. After guide revision, we report a success rate of 97.3%. Complications after instrument revision include two cases of incomplete pulley release and one case of inadvertent skin laceration. The majority of patients report returning to all strenuous activities within two weeks at most apart from four individuals with prolonged postoperative discomfort.

Conclusion: We present the results of the development and implementation of a novel guide instrument for use with a hook knife to treat trigger finger. Despite several limitations of this study, we show that sonographically controlled, minimally-invasive A1 pulley release can be performed safely and effectively with appropriate surgical instruments and practice.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10636860PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06982-xDOI Listing

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