title: Results of flexor tendon repair of the hand by the motion-stable wire suture by Towfigh.
abstract: We compared the motion-stable wire suture by Towfigh (MSWST) with a modified Kessler suture (MKS) by following up flexor tendon repairs (MSWST, n = 21/39 digits; MKS, n = 20/31 digits). For MSWST we found 31 (79.5%) "excellent", 3 (7.7%) "good", and 5 (12.8%) "fair" results, when using the scoring system of Buck-Gramcko. In 3 (14.3%) patients the MSWST had to be removed owing to local irritation. In a further 3 (14.3%) patients, this was done when secondary tenolysis was necessary. The latter was also performed in 4 (20.0%) patients in whom the MKS was used. Here we found 23 (74.2%) excellent, 7 (22.6%) good, and 1 (3.2%) fair result. The statistical evaluation of the data concerning the patients' age, sex, the involved zone, the side, and the functional outcome did not reveal a significant difference (P < 0.05) between both groups and the chosen type of repair. The results of MSWST and MKS are similar, but MSWST allows early motion therapy without a splint or rubber-band protection.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hand Surgery, Department of Traumatology, University Clinic Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. lucien.olivier@uni.essen.de
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assenmacher
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kendoff
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Towfigh
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Schmit-Neuerburg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013232:Steel; D013537:Sutures; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013232:Steel