Prevalence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Complications Following Open A1 Pulley Release for a Trigger Finger or Thumb

Jaimy E. Koopman*, Bo E. Zweedijk, the Hand-Wrist Study Group, Caroline A. Hundepool, Liron S. Duraku, Jeroen Smit, Robbert M. Wouters, Ruud W. Selles, J. Michiel Zuidam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)
76 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose: Although A1 pulley release is an effective treatment to reduce pain and improve hand function, complications may occur. More insight into risk factors for complications is essential to improve patient counseling and potentially target modifiable risk factors. This study aimed to identify factors associated with complications following A1 pulley release. Methods: Patients completed baseline questionnaires, including patient characteristics, clinical characteristics, and the Michigan Hand outcomes Questionnaire. We retrospectively reviewed medical records to identify complications classified using the International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement Complications in Hand and Wrist conditions tool. Grade 1 complications comprise treatment with additional hand therapy, splinting, or analgesics, grade 2 treatment with antibiotics or steroid injections, grade 3A minor surgical treatment, grade 3B major surgical treatment, and grade 3C complex regional pain syndrome. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the contribution of patient characteristics, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported outcome measurement scores to complications. Results: Of the included 3,428 patients, 16% incurred a complication. The majority comprised milder grades 1 (6%) and 2 (7%) complications, followed by more severe grades 3B (2%), 3C (0.1%), and 3A (0.1%) complications. A longer symptom duration (standardized odds ratio [SOR], 1.09), ≥3 preoperative steroid injections (SOR, 3.22), a steroid injection within 3 months before surgery (SOR, 2.02), and treatment of the dominant hand (SOR, 1.34), index finger (SOR, 1.65), and middle finger (SOR, 2.01) were associated with a higher complication rate. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that ≥3 preoperative steroid injections and a steroid injection within 3 months before surgery were the most influential factors contributing to complications. These findings can assist clinicians during patient counseling and may guide preoperative treatment. We recommend that clinicians should consider avoiding steroid injections within 3 months before surgery and to be reluctant to perform >2 steroid injections. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic II.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)823-833
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Hand Surgery
Volume47
Issue number9
Early online date16 Jun 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors thank all patients who participated and allowed their data to be anonymously used for the present study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022

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