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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Wound Healing Complications in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Carpal Tunnel and Trigger Finger Releases: A
Benjamin K Gundlach1, Christopher B Robbins1, Jeffrey N Lawton1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Insights
Diabetic patients undergoing carpal tunnel release or trigger finger release face a higher risk of wound healing complications. Elevated hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C) levels further increase this risk.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Endocrinology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent condition affecting wound healing.
- Optimizing perioperative glycemic control is crucial for surgical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the link between diabetes and perioperative hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C) levels with wound healing complications after carpal tunnel release (CTR) and trigger finger release (TFR).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing CTR/TFR between 2014-2018.
- Analysis of perioperative HgA1C values (within 90 days) for diabetic patients.
- Examination of postoperative wound complications including infection, dehiscence, and delayed healing.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients (n=262) experienced 36 wound complications compared to 9 in nondiabetic patients (n=259).
- Logistic regression showed a significantly higher risk of wound complications in diabetic patients.
- Diabetic patients with HgA1C >6.5% had an increased risk compared to those with HgA1C <6.5%.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic patients have an elevated risk of postoperative wound healing complications following CTR and/or TFR.
- Higher perioperative HgA1C values are associated with increased wound healing complications in diabetic patients.
Purpose:
To evaluate the association of diabetes and perioperative hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C) value with postoperative wound healing complications following carpal tunnel release (CTR) and trigger finger release (TFR).
Methods:
A retrospective review of diabetic patients who underwent CTR and/or TFR between 2014 and 2018 was performed. Hemoglobin A1C value within 90 days of surgery was recorded for all diabetic patients. A nondiabetic comparison group was selected from within the same study period in an approximately 1:1 procedural ratio, although direct matching was not performed. A chart review was used to examine postoperative wound healing complications, such as wound infection, wound dehiscence, or delayed wound healing.
Results:
Two hundred sixty-two diabetic patients and 259 nondiabetic patients underwent 335 and 337 CTR and/or TFR procedures, respectively. There were 36 wound complications in the diabetic group and 9 complications in the nondiabetic group. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an increased association of wound healing complications with diabetic patients compared to nondiabetic patients. Additionally, an increased association was demonstrated among diabetic patients with an HgA1C value above 6.5% compared with those with an HgA1C value below 6.5%.
Conclusions:
Compared with nondiabetic controls, diabetic patients have increased associated risk of postoperative wound healing complications following CTR and/or TFR. This increased association was further demonstrated among diabetic patients with elevated perioperative HgA1C values.
Type Of Study/Level Of Evidence:
Prognostic IV.
