THE HAPPINESS OF A 71-YEAR-OLD PATIENT WITH EXTENSIBLE FINGER AFTER 2 YEARS OF STIFFNESS DUE TO A RARE DISEASE IN VIETNAM

Recently, the American International Hospital (AIH) received and successfully treated a case of hand contracture due to Dupuytren’s contracture - a rare condition among Asian people, with an worldwide incidence rate of only about 3-6%.

Two years ago, patient H.S.A (71 years old) began experiencing stiffness in the fingers of both hands. The condition progressively worsened over time, preventing the patient from extending fingers 1, 3, 4, and 5 of the right hand and finger 4 of the left hand, causing difficulties in daily activities and movements. After consulting and receiving treatment at various places for two years without improvement, the patient finally visited the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the American International Hospital (AIH) and was diagnosed by Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser with Dupuytren’s contracture - a fibrous tissue proliferation disorder of connective tissue that progresses slowly, leading to thickening and gradual shortening of the palmar fascia. The result of this process is the retraction and excessive flexing of the fingers into the palm. The condition typically begins in the little or ring finger and can affect the function of both proximal interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints.

According to Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser, Dupuytren's disease often occurs in caucasian, the disease has a higher incidence in men than women and increases after 50 years of age. This is a non-malignant disease but causes inconvenience and difficulty for patients in daily activities, especially sophisticated activities that require complex finger movements.

After a physical examination and preoperative tests, Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser requests patient S.A to be hospitalized for fascietomy, release of flexor tendons and hand nerves. Prof. René and AIH team use Y and Z-skin incision techniques to shape the skin flap, cut tissue to release flexor tendons and hand nerves, and finally perform Z and Y-plasty in combination with incision closure and placement of 1 surgical drain. The patient is given a palmar plaster cast to keep the fingers in an extended position. After surgery, the patient is awake, responsive, with a pain level of only 1/10, the tips of the fingers are pink, warm, and have good movement.




 
The patient S.A. was very pleased during the follow-up visit 2 months after surgery because the fingers were able to flex and extend after more than 2 years of consultations at many places without receiving an effective diagnosis and treatment. Currently, the patient is actively undergoing physical therapy to restore the motor function of hands and fingers.



Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser graduated from the Ecole de Médecine de Paris (France) and has participated in teaching at many major universities around the world. With over 40 years of experience, Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser was formerly the head of the orthopedic department at Stanford University (USA), Markgroeningen Hospital (Germany), and Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (Samoa). In Vietnam, Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser is one of the few orthopedic surgeons capable of treating congenital malformations and severe trauma conditions, with specialized strengths in:
 

Since 2019 until now, Dr. René has directly examined and operated many patients with musculoskeletal and motor problems at the American International Hospital (AIH).
 
To register for examination and treatment by Prof. PhD. Dr. René D. Esser, please make an appointment online at https://aih.com.vn/doctor/esser-rene-daniel-dr-eng or contact the hotline (028) 3910 9999.