[Graft reconstruction of flexor tendons]

The improvement of primary flexor tendon repair has limited the indications of secondary repairs to neglected initial wound care and deficiencies in the surgical technique or rehabilitation. The surgical and rehabilitation care is complex and prolonged, requiring full cooperation of the patient. That is why the surgeon must evaluate patient's ability to integrate instructions and to comply with a long and demanding protocol. The functional needs of the patient are important in treatment decisions and the surgeon should not hesitate to use an appropriate surgical alternative (tenodesis, arthrodesis, tendon transfer, etc.). After a brief historical review, the authors discuss the indications, technical procedures and finally the results of one-stage and two-stage flexor tendon graft, which despite mixed results keep a real place in our current armamentarium.