Nonconventional Tendon Advance for Injuries in Zones 1 and 2

Abstract

Objective: Two techniques for reconstruction of tendon flexor injuries in zones 1 and 2 of Verdan in which primary suture cannot take place are presented. These techniques consists in carrying out a zetaplasty of the injured tendon in zone 5 to slide the proximal stump of the original rupture toward the distal stump of the tendon, suture both stump, and then perform the suture of the zetaplasty with the required tension. Another option, in case the end to end suture is unable, is to suture the lengthened tendon to an uninjured superficial flexor tendon. Methods: Thirteen patients with an average of 29 years of age were operated on with these two techniques. Diagnoses included 3 failures in primary suture of profundus flexor tendon, 7 tendon injuries treated 4 weeks after the trauma, and 3 injuries with shortening of the distal stump greater than 3 cm. In 7 cases, zetaplasty was performed with an end to end suture of the same flexor tendon, and in the remaining 6 zetaplasty was carried out with a suture of the proximal stump to an uninjured flexor tendon. Results: Average follow-up was 17.23 months. Assessment with the Strickand’s evaluation system yielded the following results: 8 excellent, 4 good, and 1 poor. Conclusions: The encouraging results in the short term with these techniques of shorter operating time and less surgical requirement motivate further development. A larger number of cases are necessary to obtain more reliable conclusions about their advantages and side effects.