Augmented (Massachusetts General Hospital) Becker technique combined with static splinting in extensor tendons
Adnan Zubović1, Ciara Egan, Michael O'Sullivan
1Department of Orthopaedics, Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway, Republic of Ireland.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of the augmented Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Becker extensor tendon repair, a strong 4-strand technique that allows mobilization of repaired tendons after only 3 weeks of postoperative static splinting.
Methods:
In the prospective study, we used the augmented Becker (MGH) suturing technique with 4-0 Ethilon. Eighteen patients had extensor tendon lacerations repaired with augmented Becker (MGH) technique. Results were compared with the uninjured hand and statistically evaluated. Postoperatively patients were immobilized 3 weeks in a volar splint and then fully mobilized with physiotherapy. Three months postoperatively, all patients had final assessment for total active motions of fingers; extensor lag; range of motion for the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints; and pulp-to-palm distance.
Results:
Eighteen patients with 20 tendon lacerations were included in the study. At the final assessment, average total active motion of fingers was 268 degrees without a statistically significant difference between this and the uninjured side (P = 0.0584). The average pulp-to-palm distance was 0 cm. There were no wound complications or ruptures of repaired tendons.
Conclusions:
Augmented (MGH) Becker technique is an adequate 4-strand extensor tendon repair technique that allows mobilization of patients after only 3 weeks of static splinting postoperatively. Injured fingers can then be safely mobilized with expected return of function at 3 months postoperatively.