A comparison of endoscopic and open trigger finger release

Area of Science:

• Hand surgery
• Orthopedics
• Minimally invasive procedures

Background:

• Trigger finger, a common condition, often necessitates surgical intervention.
• Open trigger finger release can lead to post-operative incision site discomfort.
• The A1 pulley is a key structure involved in trigger finger pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of open versus endoscopic A1 pulley release for trigger finger.
• To evaluate post-operative discomfort and return to activities after both surgical approaches.
• To determine if endoscopic release offers advantages over open surgery in patient recovery.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study comparing two groups of trigger finger patients.
• Group 1: Open release of the A1 pulley.
• Group 2: Endoscopic release of the A1 pulley.
• Pre- and post-operative evaluations at 7, 30, and 90 days.

Main Results:

• Patients undergoing endoscopic release reported faster recovery from discomfort.
• Endoscopic procedure led to a quicker return to daily activities.
• A faster return to working activities was observed in the endoscopic group.
• No significant complications were noted in either group.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic A1 pulley release is associated with superior short-term outcomes compared to open surgery.
• The endoscopic approach may be preferable for patients seeking faster recovery and reduced post-operative discomfort.
• Further research could explore long-term outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction.