[Results of flexor tendon injuries. A comparative study of primary suture and secondary grafting]

This work describes the results of 75 flexor tendon repairs with all injuries involving the flexor tendons of the fingers either in the palm or in "no-man's land". Of these 75 cases, primary repair was performed in half the cases with flexor tendon grafts. Comparisons were made between these two varying methods of treatment, bearing in mind the nature and circumstances of the injury. In the group of primary tendon repairs, 60% of the patients showed good to very good results; in the grafted group, only 42% showed equally good results. From this study it is felt that primary tendon repair, when technically feasible, is the prefered procedure within the palm or the digits. Associated nerve and bone injuries were not found to be a contraindication to such an approach.