An Overview of Dupuytren's Disease for Perioperative Nurses

Dupuytren's disease is a fibroproliferative condition that causes shortening, thickening, and fibrosis of the palmar fascia and a flexion deformity of metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. Although the etiology is unknown, a variety of risk factors, such as age greater than 50 years, male sex, family history, or tobacco and alcohol use may lead to disease development. At the present time there is no cure and symptoms may recur; however, surgical procedures (eg, limited fasciectomy) and nonsurgical treatment (eg, needle aponeurotomy, injection of collagenase clostridium histolyticum) can help patients manage the disease's symptoms. Patients may experience wound-healing complications after fasciectomy and skin fissures after needle aponeurotomy. Recurrence rates for needle aponeurotomy and collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection are similar. Perioperative nurses should provide individualized patient care during procedures, participate in effective team communication regarding patient needs, and provide patient education throughout the perioperative continuum.