title: Clinical Results of Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy for Dupuytren's Disease in Japanese Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical results of percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF) in Japanese patients with Dupuytren's disease are reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 51 patients (103 fingers: 1 index, 9 middle, 47 ring, and 46 small) underwent PNF at 99 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and 68 proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. Patients were assessed postoperatively after 1 day, at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Correction of contracture was measured in degrees, and an improvement index (% improvement) was described previously by Tonkin et al. A correction of the contracture to 5° or less at each joint and at each digital ray represented a successful correction. The recurrence rates in MCP and PIP joints were also evaluated. Correlations between the Tubiana classification stage and successful correction, % improvement, and recurrence rate were evaluated. The relationships between recurrence rate and the diathesis score (more/less than 5 points) and between recurrence rate and age at surgery (<50/≥50 years) were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In MCP and PIP joints, the improvement maintained at final follow-up was 89% and 57%, respectively, with successful corrections in 89% and 76%, respectively. PNF corrected digital rays at various Tubiana stages: stage 1 = 100%, stage 2 = 82%, stage 3 = 46%, and stage 4 = 0%. Improvements were preserved in stage 1 = 83%; stage 2 = 62%; stage 3 = 58%, and stage 4 = 60%. Recurrence of Dupuytren's disease was significant for the PIP joint, severe Tubiana stage, and younger patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical results of PNF in Japanese patients with Dupuytren's contractures were similar to those of whites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tokunaga