Dupuytren’s Contracture surgery is a medical procedure to correct advanced cases of Dupuytren’s contracture, sometimes known as Dupuytren’s disease.

The surgery works by either dividing the thickened cord beneath the skin, or by removing it altogether in order to relieve the tension and allow the fingers to straighten. In more severe cases, a skin graft may be needed to close the palm. The type of surgery recommended will depend on the extent of the disease.

Types of Dupuytren’s Contracture Surgery

Dupuytren’s Contracture can develop slowly over many years. If the symptoms no longer respond to home therapies such as massage, heat or anti-inflammatories, there are differenct types of hand surgery available to restore mobility and function to your hand. Your doctor will talk to you about the most appropriate treatment for your individual condition:

1. Fasciotomy – The thickened cord of tissue underneath the skin is divided using a cutting tool. This helps relieve the tension and increase the finger movement by weakening the tissue. In milder cases it can also be performed using a non-surgical needling approach.
2. Fasciectomy – The abnormal tissue is completely removed so that the fingers can straighten. This procedure may require a skin graft, and a splint during the recovery period.

During surgery

The goal of surgery is to reduce the contracture and help restore motion and flexibility to the fingers.

Fasciotomy – dividing the tissue

Your doctor will make an incision in your palm and cut into the thickened cords to divide them. This reduces the tension and decreases the contracture, while increasing flexibility in the fingers. After the procedure, the wound is usually left open to heal naturally. This type of procedure can usually be performed using a local anaesthetic.

Fasciectomy – removing the tissue

Your doctor will make an incision and remove as much of the diseased tissue as possible so that you are able to straighten your fingers. The ‘zig-zag’ incision is a common approach as it allows the skin to heal without causing further contracture. In some cases, the wound is left to heal naturally, and in other cases a skin graft may be required to aid the healing. Fasciectomy is a bigger operation, but it has a smaller rate of contracture recurrence. It can be performed partially, where only the affected tissue is removed, or totally whereby the heathy tissue is also removed. Your doctor will talk to you about the best approach for your condition.