1. Surgical management of Dupuytren's contracture in Europe: regional analysis of a surgeon survey and patient chart review.
- Author
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Dias J, Bainbridge C, Leclercq C, Gerber RA, Guerin D, Cappelleri JC, Szczypa PP, and Dahlin LB
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Attitude of Health Personnel, Clinical Competence standards, Cohort Studies, Europe, Female, Humans, Intraoperative Complications etiology, Male, Middle Aged, Orthopedics statistics & numerical data, Physical Therapy Modalities statistics & numerical data, Postoperative Complications etiology, Practice Patterns, Physicians' statistics & numerical data, Residence Characteristics statistics & numerical data, Sick Leave statistics & numerical data, Surgery, Plastic statistics & numerical data, Dupuytren Contracture surgery
- Abstract
Aim: We explored regional variations in the surgical management of patients with Dupuytren's contracture (DC) in 12 European countries using a surgeon survey and patient chart review., Methods: Twelve countries participated: Denmark, Finland, Sweden (Nordic region); Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland (East); France, Germany, the Netherlands, UK (West); Italy, Spain (Mediterranean). For the survey, a random sample of orthopaedic/plastic surgeons (n = 687) with 3-30 years' experience was asked about DC procedures performed during the previous 12 months. For the chart review (n = 3357), information from up to five consecutive patients was extracted. Descriptive statistics are reported., Results: Ninety-five per cent of all surgeons used fasciectomy for DC, followed by fasciotomy (70%), dermofasciectomy (38%) and percutaneous needle fasciotomy (35%). Most surgeons were satisfied with fasciectomy over other procedures. Recommended time away from work and duration of physical therapy increased with the invasiveness of the procedure. The intra-operative complication rate was 4.0%; the postoperative complication rate was 34%. Overall, ≥ 97% of the procedures were rated by surgeons as having a positive outcome. Across all regions, 54% of patients had no nodules or contracture after the procedures. Only 2% of patients required retreatment within the first year of surgery. Important inter- and intraregional differences in these aspects of patient management are described., Conclusions: Understanding current regional treatment patterns and their relationships to country-specific health systems may facilitate earlier identification of, and intervention for, DD and help to optimise the overall treatment for patients with this chronic condition., (© 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)
- Published
- 2013
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