[Surgical treatment in De Quervain's tenosynovitis. About 20 cases]

The De Quervain's tenosynovitis is an inadequacy into the first extensor compartment between the osteo-fibrous tunnel and the tendons. This mechanical conflict generates a tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons in first dorsal extensor compartment of the wrist.

The authors report a retrospective study of 20 patients who have been treated by a longitudinal surgical approach. The mean age was 49 years old with a net female predominance. The Finkelstein's test was positive in all cases. All patients were treated operatively by incision of the sheath, which was sufficient to unwind the dorsal compartment tendons. The sheath palmar flap has been sutured with skin (Le Viet plasty) to avoid a further tendons luxation.

At three years follow-up, the functional results were good in all the patients. However, non-aesthetic scars were noticed in three patients. We did not notice neither a case of anesthesia of the radial nerve nor a tendinous luxation in our series.

The stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal extensor compartment of the wrist is a relatively frequent pathology in the young woman. We use a longitudinal surgical approach to avoid the radial nerve lesions. Le Viet procedure using the palmar flap of the pulley fixed to the dermis works as a barrier and maintains the tendons sliding on the radial styloid groove.