Zone 2 Flexor Tendon Repair Location and Risk of Catching on the A2 Pulley

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 775.e1-775.e7
Author(s):  
Perry R. Altman ◽  
Miles W.A. Fisher ◽  
Kanu S. Goyal
2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 822-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Moriya ◽  
T. Yoshizu ◽  
N. Tsubokawa ◽  
H. Narisawa ◽  
K. Hara ◽  
...  

We report the results of complete release of the entire A2 pulley after zone 2C flexor tendon repair followed by early postoperative active mobilization in seven fingers and their comparisons with 33 fingers with partial A2 pulley release. In seven fingers, release of the entire A2 pulley was necessary to allow free gliding of the repairs in five fingers and complete release of both the A2 and C1 pulleys was necessary in two. No bowstringing was clinically evident in any finger. Two fingers required tenolysis. Using Tang’s criteria, the function of two digits was ranked as excellent, four good and one fair; there was no failure. The functional return in these seven fingers was similar with that in 33 fingers with partial A2 pulley release; in these patients only one finger required tenolysis. Our results support the suggestion that release of the entire A2 pulley together with the adjacent C1 pulley does not clinically affect finger motion or cause tendon bowstringing, provided that the other pulleys are left intact. Level of evidence: IV


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 903-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. El-Shebly ◽  
M. El Fahar ◽  
H. Mohammed ◽  
A. Bahaa Eldin

We report outcomes of repairing the lacerated A2 pulley with extensor retinaculum graft in ten patients (ten fingers) during primary flexor tendon repair in zone 2. Complete A2 pulley lacerations were found in eight fingers and partial A2 pulley laceration in two. We extended the laceration in the sheath to the middle of the A4 or A1 pulley to allow tendon repair with a four-strand core suture. The A2 pulley was reconstructed with an extensor retinaculum graft. All patients followed the early controlled active mobilization protocol and recovered active range of motion at the interphalangeal joints without major extension deficits. Using the Strickland and Glogovac criteria, there were four excellent, five good and one fair result. One finger was graded excellent, eight good, and one fair according to Tang’s criteria. No clinical bowstringing was observed. We conclude that extensive pulley lacerations reconstructed with extensor retinaculum primarily ensure functional recovery after tendon repair. Level of evidence: IV


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 578-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. N. WILLIAMS ◽  
A. A. AMIS

Experiments were performed to evaluate biomechanical aspects of the performance of a “deep-biting peripheral suture” for flexor tendon repair, either when used alone or with a square or modified Kessler core stitch, and the technique was compared to the Kleinert repair. Tests included progressively increasing cyclic loads, force to pull the repair into the A2 pulley, and ultimate failure strength. 50% of the Kleinert repairs failed under 30 N cyclic loading, while 100% of the DBPS plus Kessler core stitch repairs survived. There was no discernable difference in gliding function or repair bulk between these sutures, but ultimate strength increased significantly with the DBPS repairs. We concluded that the DBPS plus Kessler-type core stitch will survive active mobilization better than the Kleinert method.


1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. TANG

A randomized prospective clinical study was carried out in 33 patients (37 lingers) with lacerations of both FDS and FDP tendons in the area covered by the A2 pulley, that is, zone 2C in Tang’s subdivision of no man’s land. Both lacerated tendons were repaired in 19 fingers and repair of only FDP with regional excision of FDS were performed in 18 fingers. Follow-up of average 12 months revealed that there was no significant difference in the end results evaluated according to the TAM system. The average TAM was 204° in the fingers with suture of FDP only and 187° in those with suture of both tendons. The fingers with suture of both tendons showed a higher rate of re-operation due to adhesions or rupture of repair. This study suggests that it is better to repair only FDP with regional excision of FDS when both tendons are injured in zone 2C.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc J. Langbart ◽  
Constantine M. Glezos ◽  
Belinda J. Smith ◽  
Elizabeth C. Clarke ◽  
Richard D. Lawson ◽  
...  

Purpose: This study assesses the influence of A2 pulley integrity on the strength of the repair. Method: Part 1- The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons of 72 Cobb chicken feet were severed and repaired in the region of the A2 pulley using a modified Kessler core suture and an epitendinous suture. The A2 pulley was either left intact, divided for 50% of its length, or divided in its entirety. The distal interphalangeal joint was fixed at a position of 20°, 40° or 60° of joint flexion. The load to failure, integrity of the A2 pulley and the site of tendon failure were analysed. Part 2- A further 32 chicken feet were used to exclude the effects of freezing and thawing on results and to analyse differences when using a core suture only. Results: No difference in failure load between any of the test groups or subgroups was identified. The integrity of the A2 pulley was preserved in all specimens. The most common cause of failure was distal suture pull-out. Discussion: This study does not demonstrate that release of the A2 pulley provides an advantage in increasing tendon repair strength. Division of 50% of the A2 pulley does not predispose to pulley rupture. Flexor tendon repair strength did not alter with distal interphalangeal joint flexion between 20° and 60°. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study do not support division of the A2 pulley to prevent flexor tendon repair failure if repair methods of appropriate strength are utilised.


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. COERT ◽  
S. UCHIYAMA ◽  
P. C. AMADIO ◽  
L. J. BERGLUND ◽  
NK AN

Ten normal ring fingers from ten donors were used to determine the effect of flexor tendon repair on the gliding resistance between the tendon and the A2 pulley. Gliding resistance was measured for the intact FDP tendon and for the same tendon after it was cut transversely and repaired with a 4/0 Ticron core suture and a 6/0 running epitendinous nylon suture. After repair, the gliding pattern of the tendon through the A2 pulley changed significantly. The resistance and the friction coefficient were approximately doubled ( P<0.005).


2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (01) ◽  
pp. 94-102
Author(s):  
G. Balakrishnan

ABSTRACTStronger flexor tendon repairs facilitate early active motion therapy protocols. Core sutures using looped suture material provide 1 ½ to twice the strength of Kessler′s technique (with four strand and six strand Tsuge technique respectively). The technique is well-described and uses preformed looped sutures (supramid). This is not available in many countries and we describe a technique whereby looped sutures can be introduced in flexor tendon repair by the use of 23 G hypodermic needle and conventional 4.0 or 5.0 sutures. This is an alternative when the custom made preformed sutures are not available. This can be practiced in zone 3 to zone 5 repairs. Technical difficulties limit its use in zone 2 repairs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document