[Effectiveness comparison of micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture in treatment of mallet fingers]

To compare the effectiveness between micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture in the treatment of mallet fingers.

Between June 2010 and March 2011, 33 patients with mallet fingers were treated by micro-anchor repair method (n = 18, group A) and by modified pull-out suture method in which the broken tendons were sutured with double metal needle Bunnell's suture and a knot was tied palmarly (n = 15, group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, and disease duration between 2 groups (P > 0.05).

The operation time was (62.5 +/- 3.1) minutes in group A and (65.0 +/- 4.6) minutes in group B, showing no significant difference (t = 1.85, P = 0.07). The treatment expense in group A [(8 566.2 +/- 135.0) yuan] was significantly higher than that in group B [(5 297.0 +/- 183.5) yuan] (t = 58.92, P = 0.00). Incision infection occurred in 2 cases of group A and 1 case of group B; the other patients obtained healing of incision by first intention. Relapsed mallet finger was observed in 1 case of group B. All patients in 2 groups were followed up 12-21 months. According to the Crawford functional assessment system, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at the last follow-up with an excellent and good rate of 83.3% in group A; the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 86.7% in group B. There was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (chi 2 = 0.23, P = 0.97).

Both micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture are simple and effective methods in the treatment of mallet finger. But compared with micro-anchor repair, pull-out suture has lower expense.