Repair of the isolated cut flexor digitorum profundus tendon under intravenous regional anaesthesia

Abstract

Intravenous regional anaesthesia proved to be an effective anaesthetic agent for the repair of isolated cut flexor digitorum profundus tendons. Twenty-five patients underwent primary repair, of whom 20 were assessed 1 year later. Overall results were satisfactory regarding movement at the distal joint. Five of the cases were missed at initial examination and the repair carried out longer than 1 week from the injury. In view of the generally accepted poor initial diagnosis in the Emergency Department for the isolated flexor tendon lesion, exploration under a simply performed local anaesthetic block has advantages where the diagnosis is in doubt. The main operative problem with this technique was the venous ooze which occurred during the operation, and this could be a contraindication to its use for more complicated hand surgery.