Comparison of pullout button versus suture anchor for zone I flexor tendon repair.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome after repair of zone I flexor tendon injuries using either the pullout button technique or suture anchors placed in the distal phalanx.

Methods: Between 1998 and 2002 we treated 26 consecutive zone I flexor tendon injuries. Thirteen patients had repairs from 1998 to 2000 using a modified pullout button technique (group A) and 13 patients had repair using suture anchors placed in the distal phalanx (group B).