title: Suturing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon to the entire volar plate in distal zone I injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The author conducted an anatomical and a prospective clinical study to address the technique and complications of using the entire volar plate (VP) as a distally-based flap for distal Zone I flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the anatomical study, eight fresh finger specimens were dissected to study the anatomy of the VP as well as the stability of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) after raising the entire VP as a distally-based flap. In the clinical series, six patients underwent repair of distal Zone I FDP lacerations using the VP flap technique and were assessed at a mean of 9 months for range of motion as well as DIPJ deformities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the anatomical study showed that the intact collateral ligaments can still maintain the stability of the DIPJ after loss of joint support from the VP. In the clinical series, none of the patients showed joint hyper-extension or flexion contracture at the DIPJ. Using Moiemen-Elliot criteria, the post-operative active range of motion at the DIPJ was rated as excellent in one, good in three, and fair in two patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that the use of the entire VP as a distally based flap is an acceptable technique to repair distal FDP injuries and the technique does not result in DIPJ instability or flexion contracture.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Plastic Surgery , King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al-Qattan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000637:transplantation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Flexor digitorum profundus; injury; zone I