Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthroplasty Using a Silicone Implant: A Comparison Between Integra and NeuFlex in 72 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the hand can lead to pain, stiffness, and deformation, and thus to functional disability. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term clinical outcomes of 2 silicone proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint implants, NeuFlex and Integra, in patients with primary osteoarthritis. METHODS: We included 72 PIP joints, of which 40 were replaced by a NeuFlex implant and 32 by an Integra implant. The average follow-up was 12 months for the Integra group and 16 months for the NeuFlex group. RESULTS: There was no change in active flexion preoperatively and postoperatively. Extension lag and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score decreased substantially in both groups, whereas grip strength and Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) score increased. All patients were satisfied. Between groups, there was a significant difference in the PSFS score, in favor of the Integra group. CONCLUSIONS: Both implants have excellent results, but more research is needed with more patients to prevent bias and to determine the long-term outcome of these implants.

Correction: Recurrence of Dupuytren's contracture: A consensus-based definition.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164849.].

Percutaneous Aponeurotomy and Lipofilling versus Limited Fasciectomy for Dupuytren's Contracture: 5-Year Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the Dupuytren Rotterdam randomized controlled trial, percutaneous aponeurotomy with lipofilling (PALF) was as effective as limited fasciectomy in correcting primary Dupuytren's contracture after 1 year. The authors report the 5-year results of this trial, with a special focus on recurrence of contractures. METHODS: The authors invited all patients who had undergone PALF or limited fasciectomy to participate in a posttrial follow-up assessment. Thirty-one PALF patients and 21 limited fasciectomy patients were assessed by an independent examiner for the degree of contracture and whether patients had undergone a secondary procedure. The primary composite endpoint was recurrence rate, defined as either 20 degrees or greater worsening in contracture (relative to week 3) or as having undergone a secondary procedure for a new or worsening contracture. RESULTS: At 5 years, more joints in the PALF group than in the limited fasciectomy group had a recurrence (74 percent versus 39 percent; p = 0.002). When redefining recurrence as a worsening in total extension deficit of at least 30 degrees for treated digits as often reported, this was 77 percent versus 32 percent (p = 0.001). Total extension deficit was also worse for PALF-reated digits (53 degrees versus 31 degrees; p < 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Although the authors previously reported that PALF offers a shorter convalescence and fewer long-term complications but a similar degree of contracture correction at 1-year follow-up, at 5 years, the corrections were less durable than those for limited fasciectomy. This again highlights that limited fasciectomy and different types of needle aponeurotomy have specific advantages and disadvantages to weigh by patients and clinicians. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Recurrence of Dupuytren's contracture: A consensus-based definition.

PURPOSE: One of the major determinants of Dupyutren disease (DD) treatment efficacy is recurrence of the contracture. Unfortunately, lack of agreement in the literature on what constitutes recurrence makes it nearly impossible to compare the multiple treatments alternatives available today. The aim of this study is to bring an unbiased pool of experts to agree upon what would be considered a recurrence of DD after treatment; and from that consensus establish a much-needed definition for DD recurrence. METHODS: To reach an expert consensus on the definition of recurrence we used the Delphi method and invited 43 Dupuytren's research and treatment experts from 10 countries to participate by answering a series of questionnaire rounds. After each round the answers were analyzed and the experts received a feedback report with another questionnaire round to further hone in of the definition. We defined consensus when at least 70% of the experts agreed on a topic. RESULTS: Twenty-one experts agreed to participate in this study. After four consensus rounds, we agreed that DD recurrence should be defined as "more than 20 degrees of contracture recurrence in any treated joint at one year post-treatment compared to six weeks post-treatment". In addition, "recurrence should be reported individually for every treated joint" and afterwards measurements should be repeated and reported yearly. CONCLUSION: This study provides the most comprehensive to date definition of what should be considered recurrence of DD. These standardized criteria should allow us to better evaluate the many treatment alternatives.

Percutaneous Aponeurotomy and Lipofilling (PALF) versus Limited Fasciectomy in Patients with Primary Dupuytren's Contracture: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: As an alternative to needle aponeurotomy release and limited fasciectomy treatment of Dupuytren's contracture, the authors introduced an extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy and lipofilling (PALF) procedure. In their previous study, the authors reported that contractures significantly improved and most patients returned to normal use of the hand within 2 to 4 weeks. To establish the safety and efficacy of PALF, the authors compared it to the standard limited fasciectomy in a single-blind, multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with a primary Dupuytren's contracture were assigned randomly to the limited fasciectomy group or the PALF group. Patients were measured at baseline and at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Primary outcome of the trial was contracture correction and convalescence time. Groups were compared using a mixed models approach. RESULTS: Eighty patients were randomized to PALF or limited fasciectomy. In both groups, almost full metacarpophalangeal joint contracture correction was obtained, whereas for the proximal interphalangeal joint, some residual contracture remained. Patients in the PALF group returned significantly earlier to their normal daily activity. At 1 year after surgery, no significant differences in recurrence rate or hand function were present. However, limited fasciectomy seems to have a higher incidence of permanent complications. CONCLUSIONS: PALF demonstrates a significantly shorter convalescence, similar operative contracture correction, lower incidence of long-term complications, and no significant difference regarding 1-year postoperative results compared with limited fasciectomy. It is therefore a valuable, minimally invasive alternative to limited fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's disease. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Patients' Preferences for Treatment for Dupuytren's Disease: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

BACKGROUND: Although in modern medicine, patients' preferences are important, these have never been defined for characteristics of Dupuytren treatment. This study determines these patients' preferences using a discrete choice experiment. METHODS: A multicenter discrete choice experiment study was conducted among patients with Dupuytren's disease who had been treated previously. Patients were asked about their preferences for attributes of Dupuytren treatments using scenarios based on treatment method, major and minor complication rates, recurrence rates, convalescence, residual extension deficit after treatment, and aesthetic results. The relative importance of these attributes and the tradeoffs patients were willing to make between them were analyzed using a panel latent class logit model. RESULTS: Five-hundred six patients completed the questionnaire. All above-mentioned attributes proved to influence patients' preferences for Dupuytren treatment (p < 0.05). Preference heterogeneity was substantial. Men who stated they performed heavy labor made different tradeoffs than women or men who did not perform heavy labor. In general, recurrence rate (36 percent) and extension deficit (28 percent) were the most important attributes in making treatment choices, followed by minor complication rate (13 percent). Patients accepted an increase in recurrent disease of 11 percent if they could receive needle aponeurotomy treatment instead of limited fasciectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of low recurrence rates and complete contracture corrections, but also emphasizes the significance of low complication rates. Convalescence was not an attribute, which scored high. The preference heterogeneity shows that patient consultations need to be targeted differently, which may result in different treatment decisions, depending on patient characteristics and preferences.

Percutaneous Aponeurotomy and Lipofilling (PALF): A Regenerative Approach to Dupuytren Contracture.

Dupuytren disease is a progressive fibroproliferative disorder, which leads to flexion contractures of the digits. A minimally invasive technique consisting of an extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy of the cord with a needle combined with lipofilling is presented. The selective cutting of the cords under continuous tension disintegrates the cords while sparing the looser neurovascular bundles. Subsequently, lipoaspirate is injected subcutaneously. The authors' prospective results show a significantly shorter recovery time and less overall complications in this technique when compared with open surgery, while no significant difference was observed in the extent of immediate contracture correction and in the recurrence rate at 1 year follow-up.

The consequences of different definitions for recurrence of Dupuytren's disease.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence rates are important in the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment for Dupuytren's disease (DD). In the literature, recurrence rates vary between 0% and 100%. The definition of recurrence of DD after treatment is inconsistently used. The aim of this study is to review all definitions of recurrence after treatment of DD and to evaluate the impact of using these definitions on a single cohort of patients treated for DD. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase to identify studies. Titles and abstracts were analysed to collect all articles that described recurrence rates or definitions of recurrence. Two independent reviewers selected relevant studies and extracted data. The different definitions of recurrence were applied on our data set of 66 patients. RESULTS: Of the 113 articles reporting recurrent rates of DD, 56 (49%) presented a definition of recurrence. We could categorise the definitions into three groups. By applying the different definition on our data set of a randomised controlled trial, the recurrence rates ranged from 2% to 86%. CONCLUSIONS: In the literature, different definitions of recurrence of DD are used and many authors failed to define recurrence. This study shows that the wide range of reported recurrence rates may largely be contributed by inconsistency in recurrence definitions. As a result, it is difficult or even impossible to compare recurrence rates between different treatments reported in the literature. The study indicates that consensus on a recurrence definition is needed.

Long-term follow-up of flaps for extensive Dupuytren's and Ledderhose disease in one family.

Dupuytren's and Ledderhose disease can be a cumbersome condition in patients with a severe diathesis with a very early onset. Two brothers are described with a reversed radial forearm flap on both hands and two upper lateral arm flaps on both feet with a long-term follow-up ranging from 14 to 25 years. They had multiple procedures of both hands before the flaps were considered. No recurrence occurred under the flap. In very severe diathesis flaps should be considered in an earlier phase to prevent multiple procedures and early recurrence.

Extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy and lipografting: a new treatment for Dupuytren disease.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of Dupuytren contracture is fraught with morbidity and prolonged recovery. This article introduces a novel minimally invasive alternative for Dupuytren disease and its outcome. METHODS: The procedure consists of an extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy that completely disintegrates the cord and separates it from the dermis. Subsequently, the resultant loosened structure is grafted with autologous lipoaspirate. After 1 week of postoperative extension splinting, patients are allowed normal hand use and are advised to use night splints for 3 to 6 months. The authors treated and report on their experience with 91 patients (99 hands) operated on in Miami and Rotterdam; from 50 patients, the authors report on goniometry (average follow-up, 44 weeks). RESULTS: The contracture from the proximal interphalangeal joint improved significantly from 61 degrees to 27 degrees, and contracture from the metacarpophalangeal joint improved from 37 degrees to -5 degrees. Ninety-four percent of patients returned to normal use of the hand within 2 to 4 weeks and 95 percent were very satisfied with the result. No new scars were added, and a supple palmar fat pad was mostly restored. Complications were digital nerve injury in one patient, postoperative wound infection in one patient, and complex regional pain syndrome in four patients. CONCLUSIONS: This new minimally invasive technique shortens recovery time, adds to the deficient subcutaneous fat, and leads to scarless supple skin. By its ability to treat multiple rays, it addresses the abnormality in the entire hand. The procedure is safe and effective, especially for primary cases. Currently, comparative prospective randomized studies are in process to fully determine its role in the treatment of Dupuytren contracture. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.(Figure is included in full-text article.).