Comparing the results of the carpi flexor tendon transfer and the classical method of transferring two tendons to establish the thumb and other fingers extended in patients with radial never damage

Abstract

Background: Radial nerve damage is very debilitating complication. To restore the lost performance of radial nerve, classically, transferring of flexor carpi radialis and ulnaris tendons is used to restore the extension of the fingers and palmaris longus tendon transfer is used for thumb extension. The aim of this study was comparing the using of flexor carpi radialis tendon to classic method in patients with radial nerve damage. Methods: In a clinical trial study, 48 patients with radial nerve damage during 2004-2013 were selected and randomly divided in two groups. In the first group, tendon of flexor carpi radialis was used for the thumb and other fingers and in the second group, palmaris longus tendon and flexor carpi radialis tendons were used to restore the extension of the thumb and fingers, respectively. All the patients were followed 18 weeks after operation and results of surgery, including extension range of thumb and fingers and strength of hand, were compared between the two groups. Findings: Range of extension of thumb and fingers in 37.5 of first group and 16.7 of second group was above 500 and no statistically difference between the two groups was seen (P = 0.44). Strength of thumb and fingers in 25 of first group and 12.5 of second group was equal to safe hand and no statistically difference between the two groups was seen (P = 0.68). Conclusion: According to results of this study, transferring of one flexor tendon for extension of thumb and fingers is effective as well as transferring of two tendons. As a result, intervention and invasion in transferring one tendon is lower than the transferring of two tendons. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.