Primary repair of extensor tendons with assisted post-operative mobilisation. A series of 48 cases

Forty-eight patients with lesions of the extensor apparatus of the hand were treated by primary repair with assisted post operative mobilisation by means of a dynamic extension, low profile splint. They were divided into three groups: 25 simple wounds of the extensor tendons of the fingers; 14 simple wounds of the extensor tendon of the thumb; 9 complex lesions. The mobility of the tendinous suture and the callus displacement were monitored by means of metallic markers implanted at operation. Functional electromyographic study during physiotherapy permitted refinement of the technique of reeducation by a limitation of the range of flexion of the proximal interphalangeal articulations. The results are divided into 4 categories: excellent 33 (60%), good 9 (16.4%), average 4 (7.3%), bad 9 (16.4%). No complications (infection, loosening of suture, reflex sympathetic dystrophy) were detected in this short preliminary series. The proposed technique produced improvement of only minor significance in comparison with traditional methods, when applied to uncomplicated wounds. Significantly improved results were obtained in the group of patients with complex lesions.