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Congenital trigger digit
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, CA 92350.
Insights
Surgical release of the flexor tendon sheath effectively treats congenital trigger digits in children. This simple procedure offers a conservative and successful approach for affected digits, primarily thumbs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Hand Surgery
- Congenital Hand Anomalies
Background:
- Congenital trigger digits present a common pediatric hand problem.
- Surgical release of the flexor tendon sheath is the standard treatment.
- This condition can affect multiple digits, most commonly the thumb.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes of flexor tendon sheath release for congenital trigger digits.
- To assess the effectiveness and conservative nature of the surgical approach.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 27 patients with 37 affected digits over 18 years.
- Surgical release of the flexor tendon sheath was performed.
- Average follow-up duration was 46.9 months.
Main Results:
- 33 digits required surgical intervention.
- The majority of affected digits were thumbs (32), with fewer cases in long (3) and ring (2) fingers.
- The surgical treatment demonstrated simplicity and effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Flexor tendon sheath release is a simple, effective, and conservative surgical treatment for congenital trigger digits.
- The procedure yields positive outcomes in most pediatric cases.
- This surgical technique addresses the locking and triggering associated with the condition.
Abstract:
Release of the sheath of the flexor tendon is the accepted solution for the problem of congenital trigger digits in children. A series of 27 patients with 37 trigger digits were observed over a period of 18 years: the average follow-up on these patients was 46.9 months. Thirty-two thumbs, three long fingers, and two ring fingers showed locking and a degree of triggering. Thirty-three digits required surgery. The surgical treatment is simple and effective. The outcome in most cases shows that this is a conservative approach.