Factors predicting reoperation after hand flexor tendon repair

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Retrospective analysis of hand flexor tendon repair outcomes.
• Focus on sociodemographic factors, injury characteristics, and lost workdays.
• Identification of predictors for reoperation after surgical repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze patient and injury characteristics influencing outcomes.
• To determine the total number of lost working days.
• To identify factors predicting the need for reoperation in hand flexor tendon repair.

Main Methods:

• Study included 194 patients with 329 hand flexor tendon repairs (Jan 2013-Dec 2016).
• Utilized a four-strand modified Kessler core suture with early rehabilitation protocol.
• Binary logistic regression analyzed predictors of reoperation, with injury severity assessed by Modified Hand Injury Severity Scoring (MHISS).

Main Results:

• The study population was predominantly young (mean age 31.8), male (79.4%), and blue-collar workers (50.0%).
• Zone 2 injuries in a single digit of the dominant hand were most common.
• Reoperation was required in 19.1% of patients due to rupture or adhesion; smoking, zone 2 injury, and high MHISS were significant negative predictors.

Conclusions:

• Smoking, zone 2 injuries, and high MHISS values are associated with increased reoperation rates.
• Surgeons should exercise caution with patients presenting these risk factors.
• Targeted management strategies for high-risk patients can help minimize reoperation necessity.