Open versus percutaneous release for trigger digits: Reversal between short-term and long-term outcomes

Abstract

Background: There have been excellent outcomes reported with both open and percutaneous release of trigger finger. However, a comparison of short- and long-term outcomes between these two techniques has not been performed. The purpose of this study is to compare the short-term (3 months) and long-term (2 years) outcomes between open surgical release and percutaneous needle release of trigger finger.

Methods: Between 2009 and 2012, a total of 198 patients with trigger finger treated with either open (n = 72) or percutaneous (n = 126) release of the A1 pulley were enrolled in the study. Both short-term and long-term outcomes were evaluated, using the criteria established through Gilberts et al's questionnaire.

Results: The short-term satisfaction of patients with their results was significantly better in the percutaneous release group, whereas the long-term satisfaction rates were better in the open-release group, although not at a statistically significant level.

Conclusion: The percutaneous release method to release trigger finger does not have a better long-term satisfaction rate than the open release approach, although percutaneous release has a significantly better short-term satisfaction rate.

Keywords: open release; percutaneous release; pulley; treatment; trigger finger.