title: Percutaneous trigger thumb release with 18 guage needle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical results and safety of percutaneous release in trigger thumbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five thumbs of 43 patients were percutaneous released under local anesthesia. Pain score were calculated in the preoperative and postoperative periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three thumbs was successful release. Two thumbs had signs of discomfort and triggering because of incomplete release. These patients underwent open release. Superficial tendon lacerations were seen during these open procedures. There were no wound complications or signs of digital nerve or artery injury in any of the patients. The preoperative mean VAS was 30.6 (20-36). This decreased to 3.5 (0-5) at the first postoperative month (p < 0.05) and to 2.1 (0-3; p < 0.05) at the second month. When the VAS scores at the first and second months were compared, the difference was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous release of trigger thumbs is a cheap, safe and effective procedure with a low rate of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. torudom@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yingyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Torudom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D052582:Trigger Finger Disorder / Q000601:surgery*