BACKGROUND

Vascular adverse events after collagenase injection for Dupuytren disease are absent in large trials and systematic reviews. The aim of this study is to present a case series of delayed vascular complications after collagenase treatment.

METHODS

A prospective evaluation of 1181 consecutively treated patients at one orthopedic department identified three patients reporting symptoms of possible vascular complication. Baseline demographics and description of symptoms were collected, with a physical examination documenting extension deficit and neurovascular status. All patients completed the Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) scale (range 4-100, lower is better) and underwent Doppler sonography examination of the digital arteries.

RESULTS

All patients were treated in the small finger and two had an isolated proximal interphalangeal joint contracture. All patients had a delayed presentation of a few months, with episodes of white discoloration of the treated finger relieved within 30 min and associated with variable pain, paresthesia, stiffness and weakness. Two of the patients reported cold exposure as an episode trigger and had a pathological CISS score (40 and 36, respectively). Doppler sonography identified a nonpatent ulnar digital artery in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed vascular complication after collagenase treatment is rare, but surgeons and patients should be aware of the risk, especially when treating the small finger.