Outcomes of surgery for gouty tophi in the extremities

Abstract

<b> Introduction:</b> Gouty tophi occur in approx. 50–60% of patients suffering from gout. Their occurrence is related to severity of disease and effectiveness of treatment. They develop more frequently in patients with long lasting and poorly controlled disease.</br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of gouty tophi of the upper and lower extremities. </br></br> <b>Materials and methods:</b> The results of surgical treatment of gouty tophi in the extremities in 14 patients, 13 men and 1 woman, at a mean age of 51 years, are presented. Twelve patients had tophi localized in the upper extremities, whereas 3 had tophi in the lower limbs (1 patient had upper and lower extremity involved). The duration of disease to the operation was a mean of 8 years. </br></br><b> Results:</b> Seven patients received excision of a single tophus, and the remaining patients had 3–15 operations performed due to multiple tophi over a period from 3 months to 2 years. The treatment outcomes were assessed at a mean of 3 years (range 2–8) after the last operation in a form of phone interview. </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> All patients declared satisfaction from the result of treatment. No case of complication or tumor recurrence was noted. The results confirm usefulness of surgical treatment in this form of gout.