The Journal of hand surgery, European volume
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J Hand Surg Eur Vol · Nov 2012
Number of suture throws and its impact on the biomechanical properties of the four-strand cruciate locked flexor tendon repair with FiberWire.
FiberWire is a popular suture in flexor tendon repair that allows for early mobilization, but its poor knot-holding properties have raised concerns over the potential effects on tendon healing and strength. We examined how the number of knot throws affects the 2 mm gap force, ultimate tensile strength, and mode of failure in a four-strand cruciate locked tendon repair in porcine flexor tendons in order to elucidate the optimal number of suture throws. There was no effect on the 2 mm gap force with increasing knot throws, but there was a significant increase in ultimate tensile strength. A minimum of six-knot throws prevents unravelling, whereas five out of 10 of repairs unravelled with less than six throws.
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In this study, the use of computed tomography (CT) early in the management of suspected occult scaphoid fractures was evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed the notes and radiology of patients who had scaphoid CT scans over the preceding 3 years. Eighty-four patients that had CT scans within 14 days from injury were identified. ⋯ Overall, 36% of CT scans were abnormal (n = 30), 7% revealed occult scaphoid fractures, 18% revealed occult carpal fractures of the triquetrum, capitate, and lunate, respectively, and 5% revealed distal radius fractures. All patients diagnosed with fractures were successfully managed with plaster immobilization and there was one case of complex regional pain syndrome. Early CT alters therapeutic decision making in suspected occult fractures preventing unnecessary immobilization in a working population without increase in cost.