Thumb Extensor Tendon Laceration Repair
Evan Bloom1; Amir R. Kachooei, MD, PhD2; Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS1,2
1 Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
2 Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University
This case consists of repairing an extensor tendon laceration of a thumb. Extensor tendon lacerations are one of the most common soft tissue injuries of the hand. Surgical repair of the tendon was offered, and the operation was performed using wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique.
Intraoperatively, a complete laceration of the extensor tendon was confirmed repaired using a modified Kessler technique and reinforced with an epitendinous repair. Before closure, the patient tested competency of the repair with confirmation of restoration with the active extension to ensure proper function. The patient was placed in a reverse thumb spica splint following wound closure.
Postoperatively, the patient was immobilized in full thumb extension for approximately two weeks and then converted to a removable splint and prescribed supervised hand therapy for a total recovery of 8–12 weeks.