Simplifying irrigation in flexor tenosynovitis

Die Spül-Saug-Drainage zur Therapie der septischen Tenosynovialitis der Fingerbeugesehnen

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis within the flexor tendon sheath requires urgent treatment to avoid tendon necrosis and loss of the finger. Objective of this article is the treatment by revision and postoperative continuous irrigation via a closed irrigation system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1.1.2007 to 31.12.2016 54 patients with a pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis were treated by revision and closed continuous irrigation. Besides the evaluation of the patient´s records with respect to the involved fingers and hand, duration of hospitalisation, and required revision surgery, 33 patients (19 males, 14 females) with an average age of 51 (8-85) years were re-examined on average after 21 (4-38) months. Re-examination included measurements of the mobility of the involved fingers and thumbs, grip and pinch strength, pain using the numeric rating scale (BRS), and DASH score. The overall result was graded according to the grading system by Buck-Gramcko for flexor tendon reconstruction.

RESULTS

Hospital stay was 9 (3-26) days on average. In 11 patients revision surgery was required including 3 re-installations of the continuous irrigation system, 2 ray amputations, and 1 finger amputation at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The re-examined patients averaged a grip strength of 84 (23-163) % of the unaffected side. On average pain at rest was 0,2 (0-4), pain at daily living activity 1,2 (0-8) on the NRS, the DASH score 16,8 (0-58) points. According to the rating system for flexor tendon function there were one poor, one fair, 5 good and 26 excellent results.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous irrigation by a closed irrigation system for pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis is a successful procedure with a low amputation rate. The functional results are predominantly good and excellent.