scholarly journals Outcomes of 200 digital flexor tendon repairs using updated protocols and 30 repairs using an old protocol: experience over 7 years

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang Jun Pan ◽  
Lei Pan ◽  
Yun Fei Xu ◽  
Tao Ma ◽  
Lei Hui Yao

We reviewed outcomes of 230 flexor tendon repairs in 27 thumbs and 203 fingers in Zone 1 and 2 over 7 years. In 2013, we used a 2-strand modified Kessler method followed by passive motion exercise in repairing flexor digitorum profundus tendon injuries in Zone 2 in 30 fingers; 24 fingers were followed, five (26%) had repair ruptures. Between 2014 and 2017, we used a 4- or 6-strand method to repair 111 flexor digitorum profundus tendons in Zone 2, followed by true early active motion. Two had repair ruptures. Among 101 fingers followed over 6 months, two fingers had tenolysis and 87 (87%) good or excellent outcomes. In 2018 to 2019, we used a 6-strand method to repair 42 flexor digitorum profundus tendons in Zone 2 with out-of-splint early active motion. None had repair ruptures or tenolysis. From 2014 to 2019, 27 flexor pollicis longus tendons were repaired in Zone 1 or 2, and 20 fingers had end-to-end flexor digitorum profundus repairs in Zone 1; none had repair ruptures or tenolysis. We conclude that a strong repair and true active motion are necessary for best outcomes of flexor tendon repairs in the thumb and fingers, and out-of-splint true active motion is safe.

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude Bommier ◽  
Duncan McGuire ◽  
Patrick Boyer ◽  
Asan Rafee ◽  
Sami Razali ◽  
...  

We report outcomes of reconstruction of zone 1 or 2 flexor tendon injuries using a heterodigital hemi-tendon transfer of the flexor digitorum profundus in 23 fingers of 23 patients. At mean follow-up of 57 months, the mean total active motion of the three finger joints including the metacarpophalangeal joint was 128 degrees preoperatively and 229 degrees at final follow up. According to Strickland criteria, the function was excellent for 14 fingers, good for seven fingers and poor for two fingers. The subgroup analysis showed that the results were better in cases of primary surgery, children, and for the index and little fingers. Complications included stiffness of three fingers, and rupture in one finger that was converted to a two-stage tendon reconstruction. We conclude that this technique restores good function in most patients with zone 1 and 2 flexor tendon injuries, in which primary tendon repair has not been performed or was unsuccessful, and where pulley reconstruction is not required. Level of evidence: IV


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Giesen ◽  
Lisa Reissner ◽  
Inga Besmens ◽  
Olga Politikou ◽  
Maurizio Calcagni

We report outcomes in 29 patients with flexor tendon repairs in 32 digits (five thumbs and 27 fingers) with our modified protocols. We repaired the lacerated flexor digitorum profundus tendons with core suture repairs using the 6-strand M-Tang method and without circumferential sutures. We divided the pulleys as much as needed to allow excursion of the repaired tendons, including complete division of the A4 or A2 pulleys when necessary. In nine fingers, we repaired one slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon and resected the other half. When the flexor digitorum profundus tendon would not glide under the A2 pulley, we excised the remaining slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. The wrist was splinted in mild extension post-surgery with early commencement of tenodesis exercises. No tendon repair ruptured. By the Strickland criteria, out of 27 fingers, 18 had excellent, six had good, two had fair, and one had poor results. We conclude that a strong core suture (such as the M-Tang repair) without peripheral sutures, and with division of pulleys as necessary is safe for early active motion and yields good outcomes. Level of evidence: IV


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Moriya ◽  
T. Yoshizu ◽  
N. Tsubokawa ◽  
H. Narisawa ◽  
K. Hara ◽  
...  

We report the outcomes of repair of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone 2a in 22 fingers. The tendon was repaired with a six-strand repair method and the A4 pulley was completely released. Release of the C2 pulley combined with the A4 pulley was necessary in 12 fingers, nine fingers underwent a complete release of the A3, C2, and A4 pulleys, and one finger underwent a release of the C1, A3, C2, and A4 pulleys. The mean total active motion of the three finger joints was 234° at 5 to 12 months of follow-up. No bowstringing was noted in these fingers. The good and excellent recovery of active digital motion was in 20 (91%) out of 22 fingers according to Strickland’s criteria or Tang’s criteria. Our results suggest that release of the A3, C2, and A4 pulleys makes the repair surgery easier and does not cause tendon bowstringing. Level of Evidence: IV


Hand Surgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 375-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muntasir Mannan Choudhury ◽  
Shian Chao Tay

Surgical treatment for trigger finger involves division of the A1 pulley. Some surgeons perform an additional step of traction tenolysis by sequentially bringing the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendons out of the wound gently with a Ragnell retractor. There is currently no study which states whether flexor tendon traction tenolysis should be routinely performed or not. The objective of this study is to compare the outcome in patients who have traction tenolysis performed (A group) versus those who did not have traction tenolysis (B group) performed. It was noted that even though the mean total active motion (TAM) for the B group in our study was lower preoperatively, it was consistently higher than the A group in all the 3 post-operative visits demonstrating a better outcome in the B group. Even though it was not statistically significant, our data also showed that patients with traction tenolysis appeared to have more postoperative pain compared to those without.


1996 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. KHAN ◽  
J. C. W. EDWARDS ◽  
D. A. McGROUTHER

Mechanisms which lead to disabling adhesions following flexor tendon surgery of the hand were investigated in a rabbit model which was used to assess the relative response of the cells of the synovial sheath, epitenon and the endotenon to injury. A transverse laceration, cutting through 50% of the tendon, was made just outside the synovial sheath on the flexor aspect of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. The synovial sheath was preserved intact. Using monoclonal antibodies for localizing specific inflammatory markers, we were able to follow the response and activity of the synovial sheath, epitenon and endotenon with respect to these markers at various times after surgery. Our findings suggest that the synovial sheath and the epitenon are relatively more reactive in the early period after injury, as judged by a range of inflammatory indices with the notable exception of the expression of the potent neovascularizing agent, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052093618
Author(s):  
Qianjun Jin ◽  
Haiying Zhou ◽  
Hui Lu

Synovitis is a type of aseptic inflammation that occurs within joints or surrounding tendons. No previous reports have described a hypertrophic synovium eroding the tendon sheath and manifesting as synovitis within the flexor tendon. We herein report a case involving a 10-year-old girl who presented to our hospital with a 1-month history of a swollen mass and progressive inability to completely flex her left index finger. The active flexion angle of the proximal interphalangeal joint was limited to 85°. A longitudinal incision of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon was surgically performed. The synovium inside and outside the flexor digitorum profundus tendon was completely removed. After the surgical excision, normal tendon gliding returned without recurrence by the 1-year follow-up. The active flexion angle of the proximal interphalangeal joint improved to 100°. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of synovitis affecting the flexor tendon and leading to limited flexion of a finger. The manifestation of a double ring sign on magnetic resonance imaging is quite characteristic. Early diagnosis and monitoring of the hyperproliferation and invasiveness of the synovial tissue are required. Surgical excision can be a simple and effective tool when necessary.


2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 566-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. KANG ◽  
D. MARSH ◽  
D. DEWAR

The button-over-nail technique is commonly used to fix the core suture to the distal phalanx for flexor digitorum profundus repairs in zone 1. We report a retrospective study of 23 consecutive patients who had a repair of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone 1 using the button-over-nail technique. Fifteen patients experienced a complication, of which ten were directly related to the button-over-nail technique. Complications included nail deformities, fixed flexion deformities of the distal interphalangeal joint, infections and prolonged hypersensitivity. Two patients required amputation of the fingertip. We recommend that the button-over-nail technique should be avoided or used only with caution and with close attention to the details of the technique.


2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Al-Qattan

The ‘figure of eight’ suture technique for flexor tendon repair is known to be simple and strong but it has the major disadvantage of being bulky, with the knots outside the repair site. When the superficialis tendon is intact it may cause impingement and/or increase the work of flexion with postoperative mobilization and it is not known whether this bulky repair is suitable for isolated profundus injuries in zone II. A series of 36 patients (36 fingers) with clean-cut isolated flexor digitorum profundus tendon injuries in zones IIA/IIB were reviewed retrospectively. Repairs were done with three ‘figure of eight’ sutures and the pulleys proximal to the tendon laceration level were vented. Postoperatively, early active exercises were carried out. There were no ruptures. At a mean final follow-up of 6 months, the outcome (in range of motion) was excellent in 27 fingers and good in the remaining nine fingers by the Strickland criteria. It was concluded that the bulky ‘figure of eight’ technique can be used in isolated profundus tendon injuries in zones IIA/IIB.


1996 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 629-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. SOOD ◽  
D. ELLIOT

A new technique of attachment of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon and flexor tendon grafts to the distal phalanx, without using a button on the nail, is described and its use reported in 14 cases.


2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. MOIEMEN ◽  
D. ELLIOT

This paper presents an analysis of the results of repair of 102 complete flexor tendon disruptions in zone 1 which were rehabilitated by an early active mobilization technique during a 7 year period from 1992 to 1998. These injuries were subdivided into: distal tendon divisions requiring reinsertion; more proximal tendon divisions but still distal to the A4 pulley; tendon divisions under or just proximal to the A4 pulley; and closed avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the distal phalanx. Assessment by Strickland’s original criteria showed good and excellent results of 64%, 60%, 55% and 67% respectively in the four groups. However, examination of the results measuring the range of movement of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint alone provided a more realistic assessment of the affect of this injury on DIP joint function, with good and excellent results of only 50%, 46%, 50% and 22% respectively in the four groups.


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