Dr. Konstantinos Seretis, MD, MSc, EBOPRAS
Assistant Professor
Aesthetic and Reconstructive
Plastic Surgery
Hand Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Trigger Finger
"The hand is the visible part of the brain."
Immanuel Kant, 1724-1804
Dupuytren Disease
Ganglia, Tumors and Trauma
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem of the hand.
It is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, causing intermittent numbness, paresthesia and/or pain of the fingers (thumb, index, middle and half ring fingers). The symptoms are worsen gradually.
Clinical examination sets the diagnosis, which is confirmed by neurological tests.
Treatment is surgical, consists of decompression of the nerve. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and is followed by a short recovery period.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger is a common disorder of the hand, characterized by catching, snapping or locking of the involved finger flexor tendon. Pain and finger dysfunction are usual with gradual worsening of the symptoms.
The treatment is surgical, consists of tendon release from the point of blocking. The operation is performed under local anesthesia, with immediate effect. A short recovery period follows.
Dupuytren disease
Dupuytren 's disease affects the palmar surface of the hand, resulting in a flexion contracture of the fingers, which affects the patient's daily activities.
The disease has a genetic predisposition, affects most often men, over the age of 40. Smoking, alcohol and diabetes present known risk factors.
Initially the patient identifies a small nodule in the palm of the hand, which gradually extends to a cord in the finger, usually of the ring or little finger. The contracture sets in slowly and the finger is flexed permanently.
The treatment is surgical with the removal of diseased tissue. The defect closure varies, based on the severity of the condition, with the use of local flaps or skin graft. The operation is performed under local or regional anesthesia, with an immediate effect. The recovery takes about 2 weeks (depending on severity).
Ganglia, Tumors and Trauma of the hand
Ganglia are benign lesions of the hand, identified in typical positions in the wrist and fingers. They usually evolve slowly, increasing in size until to become palpable. Pain is associated with the size of the ganglion and is an indication for removal.
The operation is performed under local or regional anesthesia, with the total removal of the lesion. A short recovery period follows.
Benign tumors of the hand are a cyst, giant cell tumor, common wart, granuloma, hemangioma etc. Treatment in each case is the complete removal of the lesion.
Malignant skin tumors can be detected in hand and require total excision and defect closure, usually with one of the special techniques of plastic surgery.
Hand injuries are frequent and can often be accompanied by injuries of tendons, vessels and nerves. Clinical examination reveals the injury and operation aims to restore the anatomy and maintain the hand function. Duration of recovery varies, depending directly on the severity of the injury. An adequate physiotherapy plan is usually used.