title: A loop suture for dynamic tendon transfer in the repair of chronic or acute extensor pollicis longus ruptures.
abstract: Ruptures of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon may need a tendon transfer for repair, especially in chronic ruptures. We describe a novel transfer technique using a loop-tendon suture for dynamic transfer of extensor pollicis brevis to EPL. We performed an end-to-side transfixing-loop self-locking suture preserving the extensor pollicis brevis, which acts as a motor unit for the distal end of the repaired tendon. Contraindications would mainly be simultaneous rupture of EPL and brevis tendons. No complications were observed, except for mild metacarpal-phalangeal stiffness in chronic ruptures. An early rehabilitation program may be started when no other associated injuries exist.
authors.affiliation: *Upper Limb Unit †Department of Orthopedics, Hospital Fremap Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Abad
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garcia-Lopez
authors.forename: Eduardo F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Torrejón
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia de Lucas
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D012421:Rupture; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013933:Thumb / Q000601:surgery*