ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Chirurgica 2003 February;58(1):93-6

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Surgery and rehabilitation of flexor tendons injuries in zone 1 and 2

Coppolino S., Lupo F., Quatra F., Colonna M. R., Merrino T., Ruggeri F., Risitano G., Galeano M.

Background. Prevention of adhesions that restrain tendon gliding is based on early mobilization techniques. Such approach, anyway, does not guarantee positive outcomes.
Methods. Seventy-five patients for a total number of 98 flexors tendons have been treated at the University Hospital of Messina between December 1993 and January 2000. Twenty-five patients, for a total number of 26 tendons, have been seen at follow-up. Seventeen lesions involved zone 2 and 9 involved zone 1.The modified Kessler suture has been generally used. All the repairs have been followed by an adequate early mobilization protocol, according to Kleinert (passive extension/active flexion) in nine patients and according to Risitano and Savage (active extension/active flexion) in 16.
Results. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. We present results with an assessment performed according to Strickland and to Elliot for lesion in zone 1 and according to Strickland and using Total Active Motion of the finger for lesions in zone 2.
Conclusions. The suturing technique and mobilization protocol did not affect results, but we made some considerations about respective advantages and disadvantages of either method.