Flexor Tendon Repair in No Man's Land

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Abstract
Patients (31) with 40 injuries within the digital sheath treated by primary tendon repair ad modum Verdan were followed up 6-24 mo. after surgery. Digits (12) had isolated lesions of the profundus tendon and regained 21.degree. as an average ROM [range of motion] in the DIP [distal interphalangeal point] joint. Digits (28) had injuries to both the profundus and superficialis tendons and 22 of these flexed within 3 cm of the distal palmar crease with good extension. Compared to other materials the results after isolated profundus lesions seemed approximately equal to those after free tendon grafts through an intact superficialis. In double tendon lesions the results seemed comparable to those after free tendon transplantations but inferior to primary repair according to Kleinert. It is unclear if this difference is due to the method of tendon repair as such, to differences in experience of tendon surgery or to differences in patient materials.