Predictors of Postsurgical Outcomes in Trigger Finger Release: A Retrospective Analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes Research

Background:

• Trigger finger release (TFR) surgery is common for stenosing tenosynovitis.
• Understanding factors influencing TFR outcomes is crucial for patient management.
• Postoperative complications and recurrence rates can impact patient satisfaction and healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with recurrent trigger finger.
• To examine predictors of postoperative infection after TFR surgery.
• To analyze variables impacting repeat surgery, emergency department visits, and antibiotic use post-TFR.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 494 patients undergoing 609 TFR procedures.
• Evaluation of patient demographics (age, sex, race, BMI, smoking, diabetes) and surgical history.
• Logistic regression used to assess associations with outcomes like repeat surgery, ED visits, and antibiotic use.

Main Results:

• Index fingers were more prone to repeat surgery and ED visits.
• Younger age, prior TFR history, and non-White race correlated with increased ED visits.
• No significant associations found for repeat injection or antibiotic necessity post-TFR.

Conclusions:

• Patient factors (age, BMI, race) and digit involvement influence TFR complication risks.
• Identifying specific risk factors allows for personalized perioperative strategies.
• Minimizing complications and optimizing recovery supports value-based care in TFR surgery.