Two-stage flexor-tendon reconstruction. Ten-year experience.
One hundred and fifty fingers in 136 patients were treated by a two-stage flexor-tendon reconstruction and followed for an average of 2.4 years. A salvage procedure such as this was needed for most of these fingers since 81 per cent of the injuries were in Zone 2 and 45 per cent were Grade 5 in severity. Before reconstruction, the mean total active motion (all joints combined) for each finger was 102 degrees and the mean grip strength was 20 per cent of normal. At final follow-up, the mean total active motion of these fingers was 176 degrees and the mean grip strength was 79 per cent of normal. Three months after tendon-grafting, the results had reached a plateau, and no significant change occurred thereafter. Complications were a flexion contracture of varying degree in 41 per cent of the fingers, especially when a contracture was present preoperatively (40 per cent); rupture of the tendon graft in 14 per cent; and infection in 4 per cent. This review reaffirmed the usefulness of two-stage flexor-tendon reconstruction as a salvage procedure to restore function of flexor tendons.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012828:Silicones; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000209:etiology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D013997:Time Factors
D012828:Silicones