INTRODUCTION: Mallet finger injuries are common and involve disruption of the terminal extensor mechanism overlying the distal interphalangeal joint. Many operative techniques have been advocated. The pull-in suture technique is a useful surgical procedure for the treatment of mallet finger. Although this procedure allows accurate realignment of the tendon-bone, it has limitations. PURPOSE: To eliminate these limitations, we present here a modification of the pull-in suture technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2008 to October 2009, 10 mallet fingers treated using this modification were included in this prospective study. Of the patients, 6 were men and 4 were women. Their ages at surgery ranged from 19 to 41 years, with a mean of 29.7 years. Of these, 1 involved the thumb; 2, the index finger; 2, the middle finger; 3, the ring finger; and 2, the little finger. The length of time from the injury to surgery ranged from 1 to 20 days (mean, 6.3 days). According to Doyle's classification, there were 1 type II, 4 type III, and 5 type IVb cases. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 15.4 (range, 13-22) months, all patients were pain free. The average final active range of motion of the distal interphalangeal joint was 60 degrees (range, 50-70 degrees). Using Crawford's criteria, 2 patients were graded as excellent, 7 as good, and 1 was graded as fair. Neither pin tract infections nor skin compressive ulcers occurred. CONCLUSION: The modification eliminated or reduced the incidence of complications when compared with the original method. This technique should be considered when treatment of a mallet deformity using the pull-in suture technique is planned.
INTRODUCTION: Mallet finger injuries are common and involve disruption of the terminal extensor mechanism overlying the distal interphalangeal joint. Many operative techniques have been advocated. The pull-in suture technique is a useful surgical procedure for the treatment of mallet finger. Although this procedure allows accurate realignment of the tendon-bone, it has limitations. PURPOSE: To eliminate these limitations, we present here a modification of the pull-in suture technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2008 to October 2009, 10 mallet fingers treated using this modification were included in this prospective study. Of the patients, 6 were men and 4 were women. Their ages at surgery ranged from 19 to 41 years, with a mean of 29.7 years. Of these, 1 involved the thumb; 2, the index finger; 2, the middle finger; 3, the ring finger; and 2, the little finger. The length of time from the injury to surgery ranged from 1 to 20 days (mean, 6.3 days). According to Doyle's classification, there were 1 type II, 4 type III, and 5 type IVb cases. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 15.4 (range, 13-22) months, all patients were pain free. The average final active range of motion of the distal interphalangeal joint was 60 degrees (range, 50-70 degrees). Using Crawford's criteria, 2 patients were graded as excellent, 7 as good, and 1 was graded as fair. Neither pin tract infections nor skin compressive ulcers occurred. CONCLUSION: The modification eliminated or reduced the incidence of complications when compared with the original method. This technique should be considered when treatment of a mallet deformity using the pull-in suture technique is planned.
Authors: Santiago Salazar Botero; Juan Jose Hidalgo Diaz; Anissa Benaïda; Sylvie Collon; Sybille Facca; Philippe André Liverneaux Journal: Arch Plast Surg Date: 2016-03-18