Six-Strand Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon Repairs With and Without Circumferential Sutures: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to assess outcomes in flexor pollicis longus tendon repairs with 6-strand core sutures with and without circumferential sutures. METHODS: A 6-strand core suture technique with and without circumferential sutures was used. Thirty-three patients were summarized in the C group (circumferential group) and 16 patients in the NC group (non-circumferential group). After the surgery, the wrist was stabilized with a dorsal blocking splint and a controlled early active motion protocol was applied. At weeks 6, 13, and 26 data on demographics, type of injury, surgery, postoperative rehabilitation, complications such as re-rupture and the following outcome measurements were collected: range of motion and its recovery according to the Tang criteria, Kapandji score, thumb and hand strengths, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and satisfaction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in range of motion and strength between the 2 treatment groups. In both groups, the outcome measurements increased over time and they expressed similar satisfaction with the surgical treatment. In 4 patients of the C group tendon repair ruptured and in 1 patient of the NC group. CONCLUSIONS: Six-strand repair technique is an effective procedure to assure early active motion after flexor pollicis longus tendon injuries and good results can also be achieved by omitting the circumferential suture.