Zone II Flexor Tendon Repair in a 13-Month-Old: Report of a Complication

Abstract

Despite early cautions against the primary repair of zone II flexor tendon injuries, recent advances in surgical technique and suture materials have allowed such repairs to become commonplace. The 6-strand repair technique is rarely applied to the young pediatric population, however, to our knowledge, no English-language articles have described this method of primary repair in zone II of children less than 2 years old. A 13-month-old male presented flexor digitorum profundus repair after lacerating it in zone II on a sharp aluminum can. The tendon was repaired with a 6-strand technique, using a 4.0 Fiberloop for the core suture and 6.0 Prolene for the epitendinous suture. Approximately four months after surgery, the patient developed a palmar collection at the level of his middle phalanx and a serosanguinous sinus tract at the distal interphalangeal crease. During the revision surgery, the inspection of the repaired tendon revealed a small gap filled with scar tissue. There was no evidence of new fistula formation at his final visit one month after the second procedure. After the revision, the patient could move his digit with minimal loss of range of motion at the distal interphalangeal joints. Unfortunately, he was subsequently lost to follow up. This surgical technique was selected to provide a strong repair that would allow the early postoperative movement. In retrospect, a 6-strand repair with braided suture is not ideal in young children as the bulky suture can cause a foreign-body reaction and possibly extrude through the skin. Additionally, the immobilization with a long-arm cast remains a valuable tool after tendon repair in infants who cannot voluntarily restrict their movements.