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. 2023 Jun;18(4):624-627.
doi: 10.1177/15589447211060416. Epub 2021 Dec 22.

Ulnar Superficialis Slip Resection Versus Radial Superficialis Slip Resection: A Biomechanical Pilot Study

Lee Fuchs  1 , Nir Gafni  1 , Tamar Brosh  2 , Shadi Saleh  1 , Yona Kosashvili  1 , Amir Oron  1
Affiliations

Ulnar Superficialis Slip Resection Versus Radial Superficialis Slip Resection: A Biomechanical Pilot Study

Lee Fuchs et al. Hand (N Y). 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Background: There are numerous clinical scenarios during which the surgeon contemplates whether the radial or ulnar slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) should be sacrificed. To date no study has assessed the point of failure of each one of the FDS slips in each digit, aiding the avid surgeon in deciding which slip to sacrifice.

Methods: A total of 41 digits were assessed, each digit was dissected, and a specimen containing the denuded bone of the middle phalanx with the attachments of the ulnar and radial FDS slips was obtained. An Instron 4502 device was utilized to biomechanically assess the point of failure of each slip of each digit.

Results: There was no statistical difference between ulnar and radial slip point of failure when compared across all digits and subjects. There was no statistical difference between male and female subject's specimens. The point of failure was higher in the ulnar slips of the second and third digits, whereas the point of failure was higher in the radial slips of the fourth and fifth digits.

Conclusions: Sacrifice of a FDS slip may cause loss of grip strength. In several clinical scenarios one may be faced with the dilemma which FDS slip to sacrifice. Our findings show this is not an arbitrary choice. Hand surgeons should keep our findings in mind when deciding which slip to sacrifice, in effort to preserve function and strength in the injured hand.

Keywords: Zone II injuries; flexor digitorum superficialis; flexor tendons; hand surgery; slip sacrifice.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The Instron 4502 (Instron machine Inc. Massachusetts). Slip after being pulled by the Instron machine and reaching its breaking point and tearing from intra-substance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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