Results of primary tendon repair with closure of the tendon sheath.
This study reports the results of primary flexor tendon repair combined with closure of the tendon sheath in 31 Zone 2 injuries. In 3 digits, the profundus tendon alone was divided. In a further 7 digits, one tendon was completely divided and the other was incompletely divided. The remaining 21 digits involved complete division of both tendons. Assessment of the results according to the total active motion (TAM) system found 86% of the repairs in the excellent, good and fair categories. Two ruptures occurred (6%). A second assessment employed the criteria of Strickland, excluding the motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint. The results obtained following suture of both tendons were: excellent (39%); good (36%); fair (14%); poor (4%); and rupture (7%). These results lend support to the belief that closure of the tendon sheath decreases external adhesion formation and improves motion without increasing the risks of rupture.
Tonkin
M
M
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky.
Lister
G
G
D000328:Adult; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*