Surgery for dupuytren's disease may take the form of a needle fasciotomy, or an open fasciectomy.
A needle fasciotomy is a local anaesthetic procedure designed to cut the cords which are causing contracture using the sharp end of a needle. This has the advantage of a rapid recovery. There may be a little bit of bleeding, and a small hole in the palm, but that hole usually heals with 2 days. In general patients can return to full normal use of the hand a couple of days after the procedure.
An open fasciectomy is a procedure where zig zag cuts are made across the front surface of the hand. The important blood vessels and nerves are found so that they can be traced and protected, and the dupuytren's tissue is cut out. The wounds are then sewn up again, usually with dissoluble sutures. This procedure has the advantage of being able to remove all of the dupuytren's tissue and is safe both in the palm and the finger. It also increases the disease free interval, before any potential recurrence might occur.
Most patients need to have their wounds checked at one weeks and two weeks after an open fasciectomy for dupuytren's. Most wounds are well healed by 3-4 weeks, and the movement is starting to improve at that time. People can then return to every day activities.
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