抄録
Insufficient release of the tendon sheath and neurovasucular injuries are likely to occur in subcutaneous release of the tendon sheath. Therefore, we performed prospective studies in 19 trigger digits of 15 patients to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of this technique. There were 13 women and 3 men; their ages ranged from 6 to 70 years (mean 53). The operative procedures included incision of the skin with a skin cutter for insertion of Angiocath® and longitudinal release of the A1 pulley performed according to Abe's method. After subcutaneous release, we opened the skin on the A1 pulley and examine the length of the incision in the A1 pulley and complications such as injuries to tendons, nerves and vessels.
Fifteen digits were completely free of click although complete release of the A1 pulley was found in 7 digits out of 19.
Tendon injuries were found in 9 digits. However, they exhibited no clinical symptoms probably because of their longitudinal direction. There were no injuries of digital nerves or vessels in our series.
This subcutaneous procedure can be performed easily and safely, however, disappearance of click does not mean complete release, and care should be taken to release the sheath distally enough.
