Bharath Kumar Velmurugana, Chih‑Yang Huanga,b,c,d,e, Dah‑Ching Dingf,g, Kun‑Chi Wuh*
aDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan, bGraduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, cCardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, dCenter of General Education, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan, eDepartment of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, fDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, gInstitute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, hDepartment of Orthopedics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
Open Access funded by Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation
Abstract
Objectives: This study retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of percutaneous pulley release by our newly designed needle knife in terms of cure, relapse, and complication rates. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty‑seven patients were allocated into male and female groups between October 2014 and September 2021. We included patients >15 years of age with a trigger finger (TF) (types II–VI). The primary outcome was the absence of a TF and pain‑free movement. In contrast, the secondary outcome included second‑time surgery and the number of complications such as infection and admission for antibiotics. Results: One hundred patients were male, and 157 patients were female. Males and females had mean ages of 62.45 ± 11.76 and 61.50 ± 8.57 years, respectively.
The operative time was significantly longer in males than in females (7.88 ± 6.02 vs. 6.52 ± 3.74 min in males and females, respectively, P = 0.027). However, the percentages of diabetes mellitus and gout were the same in both groups. For the percutaneous methods with our needle knife, remission of the trigger was achieved in all cases. In addition, seven patients received revision and three patients with complications. After needle surgery, topical and joint pain scores were improved in both groups (from 5.09 ± 1.31 to 0.80 ± 1.56). Conclusion: The percutaneous methods with our needle knife displayed effectiveness. The cure rate was high, and the relapse rate was low. Further large‑scale clinical trials comparing percutaneous needle to open surgery for releasing the TF will be needed to confirm our results.
Keywords: Cohort, Needle knife, Surgery, Tendon entrapment, Trigger finger
