Results of flexor tendon repair of the hand by the motion-stable wire suture by Towfigh

We compared the motion-stable wire suture by Towfigh (MSWST) with a modifie d Kessler suture (MKS) by following up flexor tendon repairs (MSWST, n = 21 /39 digits; MKS, n = 20/31 digits). For MSWST we found 31 (79.5%) "excellen t", 3 (7.7%) "good", and 5 (12.8%) "fair" results, when using the scoring s ystem of Buck-Gramcko. In 3 (14.3%) patients the MSWST had to be removed ow ing to local irritation. In a further 3 (14.3%) patients, this was done whe n secondary tenolysis was necessary. The latter was also performed in 4 (20 .0%) patients in whom the MKS was used. Here we found 23 (74.2%) excellent, 7 (22.6%) good, and 1 (3.2%) fair result. The statistical evaluation of th e data concerning the patients' age, sex, the involved zone, the side, and the functional outcome did not reveal a significant difference (P < 0.05) b etween both groups and the chosen type of repair. The results of MSWST and MKS are similar, but MSWST allows early motion therapy without a splint or rubber-band protection.