title: The role of cross-finger flaps in the primary management of untidy flexor tendon injuries.
abstract: This is a report of five patients who sustained untidy division of flexor tendons in zones 1 and 2, associated with overlying soft tissue loss. Contrary to traditional teaching, the tendon injuries were repaired primarily, and the tissue loss was made good with a cross-finger flap. At final evaluation, three cases were assigned excellent grades and two cases fair grades by Kleinert criteria. This unexpectedly favourable outcome may be due to a quality of the inner surface of the cross-finger flap and/or to staggering of the skin and tendon suture lines.
authors: Regional Plastic Surgery Unit, St. Andrew's Hospital, Billericay, Essex.
authors: D T
authors: DT
authors: Gault
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Quaba
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*