The primary repair of digital flexor tendons

Abstract

This paper presents the results of 80 out of 98 severed flexor tendons repaired between 1976 and January 1981 using the Kleinert technique with immediate dynamic splintage. In this series 13 repairs were in the thumb and 85 in the fingers (19 in Zone 1; 66 in Zone 2). Only 10% of the injuries were industrial. A total of 80 tendon repairs were available for assessment using the methods of White and Kleinert; 60% of these were graded excellent to good, with 55% excellent to good for Zone 2 repairs. An "injury score" has been devised to indicate severity of injury and this correlated well with poor results in Zone 2 injuries. Better results were obtained in the young and in well motivated patients. Delayed repairs did badly, especially in Zone 2.