Surgical repair of acute traumatic closed transection of the biceps brachii.
BACKGROUND
Effective techniques to repair transected muscles are not well described. We determined the outcome of surgically repaired closed transections of the biceps muscle with regard to strength, appearance, and patient satisfaction.


METHODS
We conducted a study on surgical repair of acute traumatic closed transection of the muscle belly of the biceps brachii in paratroopers. Muscle fibers and epimysium were sutured with use of running interlocked stitches as well as modified Mason-Allen stitches. We gathered data on the supination torque, appearance of the arm, and patient satisfaction. Nine patients underwent surgical repair and were followed for a mean of 2.2 years. Three patients, who constituted a comparative group, had nonoperative treatment of complete transections of the biceps and were followed for a mean of eleven years.


RESULTS
We found that the patients who had surgical repair had better results than did those who had nonoperative treatment, with respect to supination torque (a mean of 11.0 N-m compared with 5.8 N-m, p = 0.0005), appearance (a mean of 4.6 cm compared with 3.0 cm, according to the cosmetic visual analog scale; p = 0.000002), and satisfaction (excellent in all nine patients who had surgical repair and satisfactory in all three who had nonoperative treatment).


CONCLUSIONS
The results after repair of acute traumatic closed transection of the biceps brachii with the new surgical technique described in the present study demonstrated a significant improvement in terms of function, appearance, and patient satisfaction compared with those after nonoperative treatment.
Kragh
John F
JF
Orthopaedic Service, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA. john.kragh@amedd.army.mil
Basamania
Carl J
CJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001359:Aviation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome