Distal biceps tendon repair: comparison of surgical techniques.
OBJECTIVE
Various surgical repair techniques for distal biceps tendon ruptures have been reported, however, the optimal technique is unknown.


METHODS
Over a 4-year period 19 distal biceps tendon ruptures were repaired: 9 using a single anterior incision and 10 using a modified 2-incision Boyd and Anderson technique. The patients were followed-up prospectively and independently reviewed.


RESULTS
Patient-rated elbow evaluation and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores improved with time independent of surgical technique. At 1 year the 1-incision group regained more flexion (142.8 degrees vs 131.1 degrees ) than the 2-incision group. There was no difference between groups in supination motion, supination strength, or flexion strength, although recovery of flexion strength was initially more rapid for the 2-incision group. Complications were encountered in 44% of cases treated with a 1-incision technique and in 10% of cases treated with the 2-incision technique; however, most of these were minor transient paresthesias.


CONCLUSIONS
The differences between the 2 groups were relatively minor with the Morrey 2-incision technique showing a slightly more rapid recovery of flexion strength and fewer complications as compared with the 1-incision technique.
El-Hawary
Ron
R
Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Macdermid
Joy C
JC
Faber
Kenneth J
KJ
Patterson
Stuart D
SD
King
Graham J W
GJ
D004550:Elbow; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*