Abstract
Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare the functional outcome between silastic Swanson and Sutter implants in metacarpophalangeal joints in a prospective and randomised of study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The study was prospective and randomised. Thematerial comprised 53 patients (6 men, 47 women) and 58 hands; a total of 89 Swanson and 126 Sutter implants were installed. The mean follow-up time was 57 (40–80) and 55 (36–79) months, respectively. Results: Active extension was corrected similarly in both groups. In the Swanson group from median [inter-quartile rate (IQR)] 22° (8, 44) to 12° (0,20), and in the Sutter group from 19° (7, 37) to 16 (5, 25). The median active flexion decreased less in the Sutter group from 75° (69, 84) to 64° (53, 72) vs. Swanson from 83° (77, 90) to 58° (48, 64) during the follow-up, and with that respect the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=0.01). Statistically significant difference (p=0.03) was detected in correction of ulnar deviation only in ring finger: in the Swanson group from median 25°(6°, 34°) ulnar deviation to 1°(2°radial, 9°) radial deviation and in the Sutter group from 14°(7°, 28°) to 5°(0°, 13∞) respectively. Conclusion: It appears that the Sutter implant yields at least as good functional results in the MCP replacement as the Swanson prosthesis.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
