During flexor tendon repair, it is important to keep the severed ends of the tendons in tension-free approximation. A common method of stabilisation involves piercing the tendon and soft tissue with a hypodermic needle (Tubiana et al., 1999). Although this works well, it has several disadvantages. Firstly, there is the potential for causing a needle-stick injury from the exposed needle tip, especially if the operating surgeon has a reduced field of vision due to loupe magnification. Secondly, the tendon has a tendency to swivel as the hub of the needle is not counter-balanced. In addition, the needle tip may damage the neurovascular bundle on the far side of the impaled tendon(s).
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