Background: This study compared the effectiveness of injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum and percutaneous needle fasciotomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.
Methods: Patients with a total passive extension deficit of 30 degrees or more in a single digital ray were enrolled and assigned randomly to receive either collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections or percutaneous needle fasciotomy. Preoperative severity of proximal interphalangeal joint contracture for Dupuytren's disease was classified according to the British Society for Surgery of the Hand as less than 30 degrees (stage I) or 30 degrees or more (stage II).
Results: Of the 70 patients enrolled, 36 patients with 46 joints received collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections and 34 patients with 48 joints received percutaneous needle fasciotomy. At day 30, successful corrections were obtained in only 50 percent of the injection group and 67 percent of the fasciotomy group for stage II proximal interphalangeal joints. Recurrences were frequent among patients with stage II joint contractures. The mean Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score at day 30 was significantly higher in the injection group compared with the fasciotomy group (7.5 versus 4.2, respectively). In the injection group, adverse events were reported for all patients. In the fasciotomy group, complications were reported for 15 percent of patients.
Conclusions: The collagenase clostridium histolyticum and percutaneous needle fasciotomy groups had similar outcomes for Dupuytren's contracture with 3 years' follow-up. Recurrences were frequent among patients with stage II proximal interphalangeal joint contractures. The Unité Rhumatologique des Affections de la Main scale and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score decreased significantly for both groups at final follow-up.
Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, II.