A delayed foreign body granuloma associated with polypropylene sutures used in tendon transfer. A case report

INTRODUCTION: A delayed foreign body reaction to polypropylene sutures has not been previously reported following tendon repair. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 12-year old boy underwent tendon transfer. Tendon repair was done using polypropylene sutures. Five months later, a slowly growing granuloma was seen at the tendon repair site. Skin testing did not show an allergic reaction to the suture. Excision of the granuloma and removal of sutures were curative. Histology confirmed a foreign body granuloma. DISCUSSION: A mass developing several months at the site of tendon repair indicates either an allergic or foreign body reaction to the suture. Skin testing (for allergy) and histological examination of the mass differentiate allergic from foreign body reactions. CONCLUSION: We report on a rare case of a giant granuloma caused by a delayed foreign body reaction to polypropylene sutures used in tendon repair.