title: Primary extensor tendon reconstruction in dorsal hand defects requiring free flaps.
abstract: This study reports results in nine patients with extensive loss of soft tissue, extensor tendon, and bone, treated with an emergency free flap for skin cover, primary bone grafts, and tendon grafts passed through individual tunnels in the free flap. Four had a good result, four were fair and one poor. Six patients returned to work, two were not working and one was retired. In select patients, emergency reconstruction of severe extensor tendon injuries appears to produce better function, with fewer operations, a shorter hospital stay, minimal complications, and a shorter period of disability.
authors.affiliation: Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Micro Surgery, Louisville, Kentucky.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Scheker
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Julliard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*