Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum for Dupuytren's Contracture: Comparing Single and Concurrent Injections.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved collagenase clostridium histolyticum for treatment of Dupuytren's contracture in 2010, and for the concurrent treatment of up to two cords in 2014. Although outcomes and adverse events have been well described for single injections, comparative data on concurrent injections are lacking.

METHODS

The authors reviewed 121 concurrent collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections and compared these with 177 single injections over 8 years. All injections were performed by a single surgeon, our senior author (D.F.). A retrospective cohort model was used to compare clinical outcomes and adverse events (i.e., skin tears, spontaneous cord rupture, tendon rupture, lymphadenopathy, blood blisters, and ecchymosis) between groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences between groups in clinical success rate or change in contracture per joint. The rate of skin tears per joint in concurrent injections (22.3 percent) was not statistically different from that of single injections (18.6 percent; p = 0.46), and was consistent with previously reported rates. The rate of skin tears did not change significantly over time in either group. Concurrent injection did not influence the incidence of skin tears in a dose-dependent manner (relative risk, 1.20). Patients receiving concurrent injections experienced a higher rate of lymphadenopathy compared with those receiving single injections (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections for Dupuytren's contracture have a similar safety profile and treatment efficacy when compared to single injections. The authors did not find a dose-dependent relationship between skin tears and collagenase clostridium histolyticum injected.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.