title: Surgical treatment of the divided flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone 2, delayed more than 6 weeks, by tendon grafting in 50 cases.
abstract: The surgical treatment of the divided FDP tendon, more than 6 weeks old, in zone 2 is reviewed in 50 patients. The method used was the excision of the divided FDP tendon and the insertion of a thin tendon graft. There were 50 patients in this study; 36 were male and 14 female, aged from 18 to 60 years. All patients were markedly disabled because of loss of strength of the involved finger. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 25 years following tendon grafting. In 35 patients plantaris tendon was used and in 15 patients palmaris longus. Definite advantages were found in using the tendon grafting procedure; strength, dexterity, pinch and grasp were markedly improved. Functional results were evaluated by the Boyes method, with the Pulvertaft method as a secondary assessment. Among the 50 patients, 80% had excellent and good results (excellent 32%, good 48%) and 20% fair.
authors.affiliation: Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Sakellarides
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors