Current Trends in Flexor Tendon Surgery: Results of a National Online Survey

Abstract

An online survey was conducted and sent out by email to all DGH members. The questionnaire included 7 questions. Participants accessed the survey via a link. 155 hand surgeons from Germany participated in the survey. All of them answered the questionnaire in full and all questionnaires were included in the evaluation. The main question of how many strands are currently used for core suturing was answered as follows: 21% (n=32) of the 155 participants (TN) stated that they use a 2-strand suture, 53% used (n=82) a 4-strand suture and 10% used a 6-strand suture. Regarding techniques, 81 TN used the Kirchmayr-Kessler technique or a modification of it, 9 TN used the M-Tang technique, and 15 TN indicated "other technique". The question about the application of an epitendinous suture was overwhelmingly answered with "yes". Here, 98.2% agreed. Only with regard to the suture material, different opinions were found. 68% (n=106) use an absorbable monofilament suture (such as PDS). Just under a quarter (23%, n=36) use a non-absorbable monofilament suture (such as Prolene). Flexor tendon surgery has changed considerably due to intensive advances in research during the last decades. It was interesting to note in our survey that German hand surgeons have adapted their suture technique within the last years based on the results of the literature. Our results clearly show that convincing scientific data has an influence on the choice of surgical technique and that discussions about new techniques, e. g. in the context of annual meetings, may well stimulate the auditorium to rethink.