A Simple, Semirigid, and Surgeon-Friendly Tendon Retriever and Flexor Sheath Dilator

Abstract

The repair of flexor tendons remains a challenge to the hand surgeon, and zone II repair requires a trained and experienced surgeon for good results. If the tendon has retracted proximally, however, its retrieval through the inflamed and swollen flexor sheath in acute cases and through a shrunken flexor sheath in case of a delayed repair/reconstruction can test any surgeon's skill and patience. Although there are many methods described in the literature for tendon retrieval, most are either not successful or are traumatic to the tendon or its fibrous sheath. We herein describe a semirigid tendon retriever that can be made intraoperatively and is useful in both acute and delayed repairs/reconstructions. The extremely low cost is a special feature. It has been proven to be a simple and effective method of tendon retrieval and also a flexor sheath dilator in delayed repairs/reconstructions.