title: Adequacy of palmaris longus and plantaris tendons for tendon grafting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The reconstruction of tendon defects is challenging. The palmaris longus and plantaris tendon are generally considered best for tendon grafting. Only a few studies have examined whether these tendons, when present, meet criteria for successful grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these tendons in regard to adequacy as tendon grafts.
  
  
  METHODS
  To evaluate adequacy for grafting, the palmaris longus and plantaris tendons were harvested from 92 arms and legs of 46 cadavers. Macroscopic evaluation and measurements concerning presence, length, and diameter of the tendons were obtained. Criteria for adequacy were a minimum length of 15 cm with diameter of 3 mm or, alternatively, 30 cm with a diameter of 1.5 mm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The palmaris longus tendon was present bilaterally in 36 cases and was absent bilaterally in 4 cases. The plantaris tendon was present bilaterally in 38 cases and absent bilaterally in 4 cases. In 29 cadavers, the palmaris longus tendon did not meet the criteria to be used as a tendon graft. Only in 8 cases were the tendons satisfactory for grafting bilaterally. The plantaris tendon met criteria for grafting in 20 cases bilaterally. In 17 cases, the tendons were considered inadequate bilaterally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite their presence, the palmaris longus and plantaris tendons are adequate for grafting less often than previously thought. In less than 50%, the tendons, although present, would serve as useful grafts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings underscore the importance of choosing a second donor site before surgery in case the primarily selected tendon is not found to be suitable.
authors.affiliation: Julius Maximilian University Wuerzburg, Department of Trauma, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wuerzburg, Germany. Jakubietz_M@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Jakubietz
authors.forename: Danni F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Jakubietz
authors.forename: Joerg G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gruenert
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zahn
authors.forename: Rainer H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Meffert
authors.forename: Rafael G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Jakubietz
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting