Complications and Clinical Outcomes Following Zone I Flexor Tendon Repair Using All-Inside Suture Fixation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate complications and outcomes of an all-inside repair technique for flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) avulsions.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a single institution database identified all FDP avulsions that were repaired using an all-inside technique by a single surgeon. In this method, 2 Keith needles are drilled from the volar to dorsal aspect, exiting proximal to the nail matrix and within the extensor tendon. Nonabsorbable sutures were placed in the flexor tendon and passed through the bone tunnels, tying dorsally over the distal phalanx. The demographics characteristics, injury characteristics, the surgical procedure, postoperative complications, and outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were included in the study. The average age was 40 years (range, 21-68 years), and 2 patients were women. Seventeen fingers were included: 14 ring fingers, 1 index finger, and 2 little fingers. Six patients had an associated distal phalanx fracture and one had an associated distal interphalangeal joint dislocation. The average time between injury and surgery was 9 days (range, 2-18 days). Four patients had complications: 3 with erythema related to infection, which appeared to be a reaction to the suture prompting removal, and 1 with a subungual mass related to the suture at removal. One patient had persistent pain. Postoperative range of motion, assessed using the Strickland criteria, was excellent or good in 5 (33%) of 15 patients, but this was predominantly due to motion at the proximal joints as overall DIP motion was limited. Patients had a mean distal interphalangeal joint range of motion of 24° (range, 0° to 55°).

CONCLUSIONS

In our series, repair of FDP avulsions via all-inside suture fixation is associated with limited distal interphalangeal joint motion and an incidence of infection (24%) at final follow-up.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic V.

The Evaluation of a Flexor Digitorum Profundus-to-Volar Plate Zone I Repair Versus Button Repair: An In vitro Biomechanics Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to evaluate joint kinematics and tendon work of flexion (WOF) following a flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)-to-volar plate (VP) repair technique relative to a pullout button for zone I flexor tendon injuries.

METHODS

Fourteen digits were tested using an in vitro active finger motion simulator under 3 repaired conditions following a simulated zone I avulsion: button, FDP-VP, and "no slack" FDP-VP (corrected for additional VP length). Outcome metrics included active joint range of motion (ROM), fingertip strength, FDP and flexor digitorum superficialis tensile loads, and WOF.

RESULTS

The button and FDP-VP techniques restored WOF to the intact condition for FDP and flexor digitorum superficialis. All repairs restored distal interphalangeal joint ROM and kinematics to the intact condition. Similarly, all repairs restored WOF; however, the "no slack" FDP-VP significantly increased WOF by 10% to 12% over the simple FDP-VP repair. The button technique had similar fingertip strength to the intact condition, whereas the FDP-VP repairs significantly reduced peak fingertip strength from intact, albeit only 1-2 N compared with the button repair.

CONCLUSION

In this in vitro cadaveric model, the button and FDP-VP techniques restored WOF and ROM to within intact levels, with no difference between these repairs in all measured outcome metrics.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Based on its initial strength and its equal biomechanical performance compared with the button repair, the FDP-VP technique may be a viable option for treating FDP avulsions.

Outcomes of Acute Repair Versus Nonrepair of Zone I Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon Injuries

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether the clinical results of zone I flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon injuries managed with acute surgical repair are comparable to the clinical results of those managed without repair (eg, primary FDP excision or observation).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥18 years presenting to a level 1 trauma center between 2015 and 2020 with zone I FDP tendon injury were identified with retrospective chart review. We assessed the following data: age, sex, physical therapy visits, surgical intervention, surgical complications (including infection, repeat surgery after the primary intervention, and rupture of repair), and patient-reported outcomes measurement information system scores.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. Group 1 (N = 15 patients, 23 fingers) patients were treated with acute surgical repair. Group 2 (N = 11 patients, 11 fingers) patients were managed without surgical repair, including FDP excision (N = 7) or observation alone (N = 4). In group 1, the average distance from the distal palmar crease to fingertip at the final follow-up was 1.6 cm (range, 0-4 cm). Fourteen of the 15 patients participated in >3 therapy visits. The following complications occurred: 4 fingers with rerupture (2 patients), 4 fingers with surgical wound dehiscence (2 patients), 3 infections (2 patients), and 4 repeat surgeries for these complications. In group 2, the average distance from the distal palmar crease to fingertip at the final follow-up was 1.1 cm (range, 0.5-3 cm). There were no infections, episodes of wound dehiscence, or repeat surgeries. At the final follow-up, both groups showed clinically meaningful improvement on Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) upper extremity, pain interference, and physical function scores, with similar PROMIS domain scores between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated without FDP tendon repair had similar outcomes to, and fewer complications than, patients treated with acute tendon repair. Our data suggest that the notable commitment of health care costs, time, and adherence to protocols/restrictions after surgical repair may not confer functional benefit.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Complications Following Transosseous Repair of Zone I Flexor Tendon Injuries

PURPOSE

Multiple techniques are described for repair of zone I flexor tendon injuries, many of which are fraught with complications. This study evaluated the clinical complications after a transosseous repair technique.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a single institutional database identified all zone I flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) injuries repaired using a transosseous technique. In this technique, 2 nonabsorbable sutures were passed from volar to dorsal through transosseous tunnels and tied dorsally over the distal phalanx proximal to the germinal matrix. Demographics, injury characteristics, operative details, and complications were reviewed.

RESULTS

Eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Average age was 31 years (range, 15-66 years) and all patients were male. Eight fingers were included: ring (4), small (3), and middle (1). Seven injuries were closed and one was open. Average time between injury and surgery was 13 days (range, 4-34 days). Five patients experienced complications, including osteomyelitis, chronic draining granuloma, and abnormal nail growth. Three patients required an additional operative procedure for management of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Transosseous repair of zone I flexor digitorum profundus injuries with a buried dorsal suture is associated with a high rate of clinical complications.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic V.

Zone I extensor reconstruction with tendon salvaged from another finger

Laceration, crush, and avulsion injuries are common acute extensor tendon injuries. Simple lacerations may often be repaired in the emergency room, but crush or avulsion injuries may involve tendon loss and gaps in the extensor tendons. Reconstruction can be difficult. The purpose of this article is to present a salvage technique for reconstruction of large extensor tendon gaps in extensor zone I in patients with severe injuries to multiple fingers. This technique, in which a tendon is transplanted from an unsalvageable finger to another with a terminal tendon gap in the same patient, may be a reasonable remedy for reconstruction of tendon loss or gaps and may offer advantages over other traditional reconstructive techniques in certain cases.