Percutaneous trigger thumb release with 18 guage needle
Torudom, Y.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 95(Suppl 12): S90-S92
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 23513471 Document Number: 13992
The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical results and safety of percutaneous release in trigger thumbs. Forty-five thumbs of 43 patients were percutaneous released under local anesthesia. Pain score were calculated in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Forty-three thumbs was successful release. Two thumbs had signs of discomfort and triggering because of incomplete release. These patients underwent open release. Superficial tendon lacerations were seen during these open procedures. There were no wound complications or signs of digital nerve or artery injury in any of the patients. The preoperative mean VAS was 30.6 (20-36). This decreased to 3.5 (0-5) at the first postoperative month (p < 0.05) and to 2.1 (0-3; p < 0.05) at the second month. When the VAS scores at the first and second months were compared, the difference was statistically significant. Percutaneous release of trigger thumbs is a cheap, safe and effective procedure with a low rate of complications.