Purpose
Extensor tendon injuries are common; however, relatively few studies have evaluated
extensor tendon repair methods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties
of the running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair method with regard to tendon
shortening, stiffness, strength, and time needed to perform the repair, compared with
the modified Bunnell method and the augmented Becker method.
Methods
Twenty-four extensor tendons from 8 fresh-frozen cadaveric hands were harvested from
zone 6. The harvested tendons were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 repair groups: augmented
Becker, modified Bunnell, and running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair methods.
The running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair combines a running suture with
an interlocking horizontal mattress suture. Each repaired tendon was measured for
length before and after repair and tested for stiffness, ultimate load to failure,
and time required to perform the repair.
Results
The running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair was significantly stiffer (8,506
N/m) than the augmented Becker (5,971 N/m) and the modified Bunnell (6,719 N/m) repairs.
The running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair resulted in significantly less
shortening (1.7 mm) than the augmented Becker (6.2 mm) and modified Bunnell (6.3 mm)
repairs. The running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair took significantly less
time to perform without a significant difference in the ultimate load to failure (running-interlocking
horizontal mattress repair, 51 N; augmented Becker, 53 N; modified Bunnell, 48 N).
Conclusions
The running-interlocking horizontal mattress repair is significantly stiffer and faster
to perform than either the augmented Becker or the modified Bunnell repairs, and it
results in less shortening than either of these methods. The running-interlocking
horizontal mattress repair should be strong enough to withstand some early motion.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 11,
2009
Received:
April 6,
2009
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
