Modification of the pull-in suture technique for mallet finger

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Mallet finger injuries commonly disrupt the terminal extensor mechanism at the distal interphalangeal joint.
• Various operative techniques exist, with the pull-in suture technique being a recognized method for mallet finger treatment.
• The original pull-in suture technique, while effective for realignment, has documented limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a modified pull-in suture technique designed to overcome the limitations of the original procedure.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this modified technique in treating mallet finger injuries.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study included 10 patients with mallet finger injuries treated between January 2008 and October 2009.
• The study involved patients with various finger involvements and injury classifications (Doyle's types II, III, and IVb).
• Data collected included patient demographics, time from injury to surgery, and surgical technique details.

Main Results:

• At a mean follow-up of 15.4 months, all patients reported being pain-free.
• The average active range of motion for the distal interphalangeal joint was 60 degrees.
• Patient outcomes were graded as excellent (2), good (7), and fair (1), with no reported pin tract infections or skin ulcers.

Conclusions:

• The modified pull-in suture technique effectively reduced or eliminated complications compared to the original method.
• This modified technique is a viable and recommended option for surgical correction of mallet deformities.
• The procedure demonstrated favorable functional outcomes and a low complication rate.