Flexor pollicis longus primary repair: further experience with the tang technique and controlled active mobilization

Abstract

This study reports our treatment of divided flexor pollicis longus tendons by primary repair from January 2004 to September 2007. Fifty flexor pollicis longus repairs carried out using the Tang technique of three Tsuge sutures are reported in this study. A circumferential suture was not used routinely. Excellent or good results were observed in 78/82% of cases (White/Buck-Gramcko assessments, respectively). No patients ruptured repairs as a result of early active mobilization. No patients developed postoperative infections with wound and tendon dehiscence. One patient developed Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1. We have found this repair of the flexor pollicis longus tendon to be safe for early active mobilization and it is easier to perform than primary repair of this tendon using four strand Kessler-type core sutures and elaborate circumferential sutures, as reported previously.