title: Extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy and lipografting: a new treatment for Dupuytren disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical resection of Dupuytren contracture is fraught with morbidity and prolonged recovery. This article introduces a novel minimally invasive alternative for Dupuytren disease and its outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  The procedure consists of an extensive percutaneous aponeurotomy that completely disintegrates the cord and separates it from the dermis. Subsequently, the resultant loosened structure is grafted with autologous lipoaspirate. After 1 week of postoperative extension splinting, patients are allowed normal hand use and are advised to use night splints for 3 to 6 months. The authors treated and report on their experience with 91 patients (99 hands) operated on in Miami and Rotterdam; from 50 patients, the authors report on goniometry (average follow-up, 44 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The contracture from the proximal interphalangeal joint improved significantly from 61 degrees to 27 degrees, and contracture from the metacarpophalangeal joint improved from 37 degrees to -5 degrees. Ninety-four percent of patients returned to normal use of the hand within 2 to 4 weeks and 95 percent were very satisfied with the result. No new scars were added, and a supple palmar fat pad was mostly restored. Complications were digital nerve injury in one patient, postoperative wound infection in one patient, and complex regional pain syndrome in four patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new minimally invasive technique shortens recovery time, adds to the deficient subcutaneous fat, and leads to scarless supple skin. By its ability to treat multiple rays, it addresses the abnormality in the entire hand. The procedure is safe and effective, especially for primary cases. Currently, comparative prospective randomized studies are in process to fully determine its role in the treatment of Dupuytren contracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, IV.(Figure is included in full-text article.).
authors.affiliation: Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Miami, Fla. From the Departments of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus Medical Center, and Miami Hand Center.
authors.forename: Steven E R
authors.initials: SER
authors.lastname: Hovius
authors.forename: Hester J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: Xander
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Ruud W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Selles
authors.forename: Eufimiano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Khouri
mesh_terms: D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000637:transplantation*