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Practice patterns in flexor tendon repair
C Healy1, K J Mulhall, D J Bouchier-Hayes
1R.C.S.I. Department of Surgery, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland. claraghhealy@eircom.net
Background:
There is a considerable volume of literature describing new and supposedly superior methods of flexor tendon repair.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to assess the flexor tendon techniques currently used in the Republic of Ireland.
Methods:
A postal survey was conducted of all consultant plastic surgeons and consultant orthopaedic surgeons who were members of the Irish Hand Surgery Society.
Results:
The response rate was 90% (27/30). A simple running peripheral suture was used by 73% (P = 0.03) and the Kessler was the core suture of choice for 68% (P = 0.06). A significant number of respondents use non-absorbable suture materials for core (P = 0.0028) and peripheral suture (P < 0.0001). Seventy-seven percent sutured the flexor sheath where possible (P = 0.009).
Conclusions:
Notwithstanding the proposed advantages of newer techniques, it is evident from this study that the two-stranded Kessler core and simple running peripheral suture remains the most popular flexor tendon repair, with sheath closure preferred by the majority of respondents.
