Upper Extremity Tendinopathies (trigger digits, deQuervains, Lateral epicondylitis)-Adverse Events of Open A1 Pulley Release forIdiopathic Trigger Finger

Adverse Events of Open A1 Pulley Release forIdiopathic Trigger Finger

Pdf Summary

A study was conducted to classify and report the adverse events of trigger finger release in a large cohort of patients. The researchers retrospectively reviewed 1,598 trigger finger releases performed by 12 surgeons in 984 patients between 2001 and 2011. They found that 66 patients (7%) experienced a documented adverse event. The most common adverse events were recovery issues in 46 patients (3%), wound problems in 30 patients (2%), persistent postoperative triggering in 10 patients (0.6%), and recurrent triggering in 4 patients (0.3%). Diabetes mellitus was associated with wound problems, slow recovery of motion, and recurrence. Concomitant carpal tunnel release on the same side was associated with slow recovery. Overall, 14 patients (less than 1%) required secondary surgery due to adverse events, but no nerve injury or deep infection occurred. It was found that one in 15 patients experienced a minor, transient, or treatable adverse event, and patients with diabetes were at greater risk. The study suggests that about 1 in 20 fingers will experience a mild, transient adverse event after surgical release of the A1 pulley for trigger finger and that about 1 in 200 fingers will have a second surgery. However, the study has some limitations as it was a retrospective study based on medical records, and the reporting of adverse events may have varied. Further prospective studies with clear definitions and reliable measures of specific adverse events may provide a more accurate representation of the adverse events experienced by patients undergoing trigger finger release.

Keywords

trigger finger release

adverse events

large cohort

patients

surgeons

recovery issues

wound problems

persistent postoperative triggering

recurrent triggering

diabetes mellitus