[Preoperative Intermittent Pneumatic Soft-Tissue Distraction in Patients with severe Dupuytren's Contracture].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the outcome of preoperative intermittent pneumatic soft tissue distraction (IPD) in patients with severe contractures in Dupuytren's disease with special regards on recurrent deformities.

METHOD: In a prospective study, nine patients with Dupuytren's contracture grade III and IV according to the classification of Tubiana were treated with a preoperative intermittent soft-tissue distraction using a pneumatic extension device followed by a standardized operative correction and follow-up program. Sixteen fingers were involved: grade I and II four fingers, grade III and IV twelve fingers. Nine fingers - grade III and IV seven fingers - in six patients had a recurrent deformity.

RESULTS

The preoperative reduction of contracture simplifies the surgical treatment. Preoperatively using the IPD, the flexion contracture was reduced between 5 and 60 degrees. With an average of 29 (10 to 60) degrees, the improvement was greater in fingers with severe contracture (grade III and IV according to Tubiana) than in fingers with a minor contracture averaging 10 (5 to 25) degrees. In fingers with recurrent deformity, the reduction of the flexion contracture averaged 27 (5 to 60) degrees. There were no complications leading to break off of the distraction.

CONCLUSION

The intermittent pneumatic distraction is a good alternative to the method introduced by Messina for preoperative soft-tissue distraction in patients with severe Dupuytren's contracture.