Double armed reinsertion suture (DARS) of the profundus flexor tendon with immediate active mobilization of the finger. 63 cases

Abstract

Between 1982 and 1994, the authors performed 63 flexor digitorum profundus tendon reinsertions according to the "lost-suture" DARS method (double armed reinsertion suture). This technique consists of 2 Bunnell sutures fixed to the lateral and anterior parts of the cut surface of the tendon. Nylon suture material is passed through a transverse hole made in the base of the distal phalanx. Active flexion without resistance is commenced postoperatively. A similar limit to extension is only applied in the case of an associated lesion if the neurovascular pedicle. Forty tendons were reviewed for this study (patients between the ages of 7 and 75 years, 35 males for 5 females). The lesion involved the thumb in 13 cases and long fingers in 27 cases. According to the authors' criteria, the results were scored as excellent 20% (8 cases); good 70% (28 cases); poor 10% (10 cases). The "lost-suture" DARS technique is a simple method which allows immediate active mobilization of the finger and appears to guarantee satisfactory functional results with no risk of tendon rupture.