Article
Current Trends in Operative Treatment of Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid Osteoarthritis: A Survey among European Hand Surgeons
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Published: | February 6, 2020 |
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Objectives/Interrogation: We present the results of an online survey, distributed in 20 participating member states of the FESSH to explore the prevailing surgical practice for isolated STT OA among European hand surgeons.
Methods: Respondents were asked about their country of practice, surgical experience, preferred surgical procedure, frequency of performing this procedure, factors in decision-making and other performed surgical procedures.
Results and Conclusions: We received 465 replies across Europe. The estimated response rate was 19%. Trapeziectomy with partial trapezoidal excision is the surgical treatment of choice among the participating hand surgeons in Europe (38%), followed by STT joint fusion (30%), and distal scaphoid excision (14%). Most surgeons performed less than 5 of the chosen preferred procedure in the last year. Patient characteristics and familiarity or training are considered to be the two most important factors in reasoning behind the surgeons' decisions for the surgical treatment of isolated STT OA.
This is the first survey that provides insight in the yet controversial surgical management of isolated STT OA among hand surgeons in Europe. A wide variety in preferred treatment techniques was found. Evidence concerning the optimal surgical treatment is yet scarce. Future prospective randomized studies comparing different techniques are warranted.