title: Vascularized dorsal digital fascial flap improves flexor tendon repairs.
abstract: We report a new method of flexor tendon repair in zone II using a standard modified Kessler technique combined with a vascularized dorsal fascial flap from the finger pedicled on a dorsal cutaneous branch of the proper digital artery, which is placed as a mechanical barrier between the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons. The functional outcomes of 14 patients (Group A) with flexor tendon repairs in zone II by this new technique were compared with those of 32 patients (Group B) with flexor tendon repairs in zone II using a standard modified Kessler technique only. Patients in Group A had a higher proportion of excellent results (on the modified Strickland system) and more movement in the distal interphalangeal joint than the patients in Group B.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Department, the Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei, China handdoctor8@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: L-Q
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Department, the Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Department, the Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Department, the Second Hospital of Tangshan, Tangshan, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Tendon repair; adhesions; dorsal cutaneous branch of proper digital artery; flexor tendon; vascularized finger dorsal fascial flap