WET ENVIRONMENTAL CURE FOR DUPUYTREN PATHOLOGY. EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP

Dupuytren disease starts with a fracture in the hand which in most cases requires surgery. In the Galdakao Hospital during 2006 and early 2007, medical personnel carried out a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a Aquacel (R) wet cure dressing (Hydrofiber (R) Technology, ConvaTec, Bristol-Myers Squibb) in treatment for secondary wounds after surgery to deal with Dupuytren pathology. 52 patients who underwent surgery for Dupuytren pathology were included in this study, in stages from N to IV, using surgical techniques Skoog and Skoog and McCash. Average patient age was 62.8 (range 29-79); 43(82.7%) were male. Perilesional skin condition improved in 100% of the cases after the use of this dressing. Average time for complete cicatrisation was 2.7 weeks (DE 1.04). Initial pain sensation tied to the wound had a 4.9 average score (evaluated according to an analogical pain scale from 1 to 10). After cure sessions with this dressing, a 1.8 score was registered (for pain reduction of 63%). Adaptation and ease of application of this dressing received an excellent rate in 47 cases or 90.4% and a good rate in 4 cases, or 9.6%. Comfort sensation was rated as excellent by 48 patients, or 92.3% and good by 4 patients, or 7.7%. Removal of this dressing was rated as excellent in 33 cases, or 63.5% and good in 19 cases, or 36.5%. After this wet environment cure, 32 patients, or 61.5% showed good mobility in their hand, acceptable mobility in 14 cases, or 26.9%, and reduced mobility in 5 cases, or 9.6%. Only one case, 1.9%, did not permit an evaluation. (R)/(TM) Indicates brands registered by ConvaTec.