Dupuytren's Contracture

Why choose needle aponeurotomy?

 

Video 1. Side-by-side comparison of needle aponeurotomy and open palmar fasciectomy procedures for a ring finger Dupuytren's contracture (Performed by Dr. Charles Eaton, a pioneer of needle aponeurotomy in the United States and founder of the Dupuytren Foundation)

Advantages of Needle Aponeurotomy

•Outpatient Procedure Performed in the Office - The ability to be performed during an office visit makes scheduling and planning for the procedure much easier and additionally allows for an easy return visit if further treatment is needed.

•Faster Recovery Time - Recovery time after a needle aponeurotomy is much less. Average recovery time after a needle aponeurotomy is around a week, compared to the average recovery time of 1-3 months after a traditional open fasciectomy. Both procedures require extended splinting of the hand postoperatively.

 •Less Pain Postoperatively - Compared to a traditional large incision on the palm, there is generally less postoperative pain. In addition, there is a lower incidence of postoperative development of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome after needle aponeurotomy when compared with open fasciectomy.

•No Requirement of General Anesthesia - This not only reduces the risks of general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, but additionally lowers costs by not requiring an anesthesiologist during the procedure.

•Option to Easily Repeat the Procedure - There is no "cure" for Dupuytren's disease. Needle aponeurotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that serves as an alternative to restore some function to patients with Dupuytren's disease. The procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure in the office. The procedure is safe with minimal side effects and less risks than other treatment options. Recurrance of contracture or scarring is associated with all treatment modalities for Dupuytren's. While there is reported higher risks of recurrence compared to the traditional open treatment, the biggest advantage of needle aponeurotomy is the ability to easily and quickly repeat the procedure in the office setting if needed. There is no limit to the number of times the procedure can be repeated.

•Less Expensive - The ability to be performed in the office setting, no requirement of an anesthesiologist to provide general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, no additional cost of an injectable collagenase, and no additional costs of the facility (operating room) in which to perform the procedure drastically reduces the overall cost of the procedure. 

Please call our office at (503) 635-1955 or send an email to tuananguyenmd@gmail.com to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for this procedure.

 

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To learn more about Dupuytren's disease and  treatment options, Please Call or Email To Schedule A Consultation

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Lake Oswego Plastic Surgery

 

Additional Information

Please see the provided Additional Links and Resources about Dupuytren's Disease for additional information and references.