Fasciotomy versus fasciectomy for Dupuytren's

Fasciectomy and fasciotomy were compared in this study with some interesting observations. Initially after procedure, fasciotomy was better than fasciectomy in straightening fingers, but this advantage was lost over time as fasciotomy had earlier recurrences than fasciectomy. Fasciectomy had better results at correcting PIP joint contractures, both early and late. Recovery time was longer and permanent complications, particularly stiffness, were more common for fasciectomy than fasciotomy: one out of twenty fasciectomy patients lost finger flexion compared to none of the fasciotomy patients. Fasciotomy has evolved considerably since this publication, and it will be interesting to compare fasciectomy with needle fasciotomy and enzymatic fasciotomy when results are available. http://www.dupuytrenfoundation.org/DupPDFs/1976_Rodrigo.pdf