Dupuytren's Fasciectomy
This webpage will give you information about a Dupuytren's
fasciectomy. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is Dupuytren’s disease?
Dupuytren’s disease is a
condition where scar-like tissue forms just beneath the skin of the
fingers and the palm of the hand.
Over time, this fibrous tissue can contract and force one or
more fingers to curl up into the palm.
This is known as Dupuytren’s contracture (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - Dupuytren’s contracture causing deformity of
fingers.
What are the benefits of surgery?
After surgery, you should be able to make better use of your
hand and straighten the affected fingers further.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Your surgeon may be able to perform a needle aponeurotomy. This
may have a higher chance of the contracture coming back sooner.
The most effective treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture is
surgery.
What does the operation involve?
A variety of anaesthetic techniques are possible. The surgery
can range from simply cutting a fibrous band in the palm of your
hand to removing all of the affected skin and replacing it with
skin grafts.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site (wound)
- Scarring
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Injury to the small artery in the finger
- Incomplete correction of the Dupuytren’s contracture
- Stiffness of the finger joints
- Numbness
- Wound-healing problems
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of the hand (Complex
Regional Pain Syndrome)
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
It can take some time for your hand to settle down after
surgery.
Dupuytren’s disease will probably come back in most people
eventually, but will not always need further surgery.
Summary
A Dupuytren’s fasciectomy should give you a worthwhile
improvement in the function of your hand.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Stephen Milner DM FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2011 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is produced
by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health Care
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.