Technical challenges in chronic zone 2 flexor tendon reconstruction and analysis of function in toddler: A rare case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Flexor tendon injury in zone 2 is challenging to treat, when child was presented late. As flexor tendon are smaller in size, the repair or reconstruction technique along with rehabilitation becomes very challenging. We report a technical challenge in chronic zone 2 flexor tendon reconstruction in toddler presented two month post accidental glass cut injury. Case presentation: An 18-month-old male toddler presented with inability to flex left little finger after twomonths post accidental glass cut injury proximal to proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint in zone two of left index finger. The passive range of motion (RoM) of DIP was zero degree to 60 degrees and PIP joint RoM was zero to 95 degrees. Child was unable to do active flexion of PIP and DIP joint movement. The parents of child were counselled for exploration and staged reconstruction of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon using either flexor superficialis (FDS) slip or palmaris longus. One slip of FDS graft was harvested and utilised to reconstruct FDP. At two years follow up, the injured index finger was normal in cosmesis and function. The active DIP joint movement was 50 degrees with complete healing of surgical site. Conclusion: Zone two flexor tendon injury in toddlers needs thorough clinical judgement and assessment by ultrasonography to locate the cut ends of tendons. Reconstruction of pulley, FDP reconstruction using FDS slip and supervised rehabilitation is recommended surgical option to achieve excellent function.