Primary Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone II. Update and Surgical Technique
Abstract
Primary flexor tendon repair in zone II has been a challenge since the emergence of hand surgery as a specialty after World War II. From Bunnell to today, the way of operating and rehabilitating these tendons has evolved and changed considerably thanks to anatomical, biological and—above all—mechanical studies. Currently, the surgical technique is based on performing a strong and neat suture, which does not suffer friction within the sheath and which tolerates the load necessary for the active motion of the finger without resistance. Multiple suture configurations with different materials have been described. Under local anesthesia, the intraoperative active flexion-extension test reveals the resistance of the type of suture chosen and has gained importance in defining the rehabilitation protocol. Treatment of flexors in zone II is, so far, an inseparable set of surgical technique and a suitable rehabilitation protocol. Biological strategies to enhance the tendon healing process are currently the main field of research.Downloads
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