5 Points on Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis of the Hand

The American Journal of Orthopedics. 2017 May;46(3):E207-E212

May 16, 2017 | The American Journal of Orthopedics

Our Preferred Technique

We recommend a palmar approach that begins with outlining a Bruner zigzag incision along the entire finger. Then, only the distal-most and proximal-most incision lines are opened, thereby exposing the A5 and A1 pulleys, respectively (Figure 2).

The A1 pulley is released longitudinally, exposing the flexor tendons. A blush of seropurulent fluid is typical. Similarly, the A5 pulley is released in limited fashion, and a small Penrose drain is inserted. A 16-gauge angiocatheter needle is inserted antegrade at the level of the A1 pulley. The sheet is then repeatedly irrigated with antibiotic-impregnated irrigation, until clean. The finger is passively flexed and extended throughout to maximize tendon irrigation. Any enveloping tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons is débrided away. If the exposure or the extent of irrigation is too limited to adequately clear the infection, the entire marked incision can be opened to connect the initial 2 incisions. However, care should be taken to avoid taking down all the pulleys, particularly A2 and A4. After surgery, the incisions are loosely closed; floor irrigation is not performed. Repeat operative irrigation can be performed 2 days later, if necessary. Immediately after the infection is under control, the patient should start supervised therapy. Oral antibiotics should ultimately be tailored to the intraoperative cultures, and should be continued for 2 to 6 weeks after surgery.

5. What Are the Long-Term Outcomes of PFT?

The principal complication associated with PFT is stiffness with loss of ROM, which can be caused by flexor tendon adhesions, joint capsular thickening, or destruction of the sheath and pulley system.²⁴ In several studies, up to one-fourth of patients with PFT did not obtain full ROM, despite adequate treatment.^4-6,27Therefore, full active ROM exercises should be initiated immediately after surgery to counteract the development of stiffness.

The most severe complication of PFT is amputation of the affected digit (Figures 3A, 3B).

Amputation incidence was 17% in one study² and 29% in another,⁹ despite appropriate management. Dailiana and colleagues⁹ found that amputation was necessary more often in patients with diabetes and in patients with delayed presentation.

Pang and colleagues² identified 5 factors associated with increased risk of amputation in patients with PFT: (1) age >43 years; (2) diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, or renal failure; (3) subcutaneous purulence; (4) signs of digital ischemia at presentation; and (5) growth of more than 1 bacteria species on culture of specimens obtained at time of surgery.

Pang and colleagues² classified these patients into 3 groups with distinct clinical features and reported each group’s outcomes. The authors based their PFT classification system on increasingly severe clinical presentation, which potentially predicts amputation risk. Patients in stage 1 presented with Kanavel signs of tenosynovitis but no evidence of subcutaneous purulence or ischemia; patients in stage 2 had concurrent localized subcutaneous purulence but no ischemia; and patients in stage 3 had concurrent extensive subcutaneous purulence involving more than 1 phalangeal segment or spreading circumferentially as well as signs of ischemia. These PFT stages were found to correlate with worse patient outcomes. In patients with stage 1 infection, amputation was not required, and average functional return was 80% of total active ROM of the affected digit. In patients with stage 2 infection, the amputation rate was 8%, and return of total active ROM in the remaining digits was 72%. The outcomes for the patients with stage 3 infection were the worst. The amputation rate for patients with all 3 classification criteria (Kanavel signs, subcutaneous purulence, digital ischemia) was 59%, and return of total active ROM in the remaining digits was only 49%. Use of this clinical classification system makes it possible to guide treatment and predict outcome and return to function.

Conclusion

PFT is a common hand infection that can cause significant morbidity. Early treatment is crucial: this requires use of IV antibiotics, or surgical irrigation and débridement in more advanced cases. However, despite prompt and thorough treatment, severe infection can lead to long-term impaired function and even amputation of the affected digit. More research is needed to determine optimal timing and technique for surgical intervention and to elucidate the role of local antibiotics and corticosteroids in treating this infection and potentially preventing the morbid outcomes we currently see.

References

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