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?
The only 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 of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Scarring
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Injury to the small arteries in a 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. It can take some
time for your hand to settle down after surgery. The scars can be
fairly thick at first.
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 © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed
by Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Banbury, Horton NHS Treatment Centre
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital