Functional reconstruction of severe hand injuries using allogeneic tendons: a retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Severe hand injuries often involve multiple tendon defects, posing significant reconstructive challenges.
• Functional restoration of hand injuries requires effective tendon reconstruction techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of allogeneic tendons for functional reconstruction in patients with severe hand injuries.
• To assess functional outcomes, patient satisfaction, and immunological responses following allogeneic tendon grafting.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving ten patients who underwent functional reconstruction with tendon allografts for severe hand injuries affecting two or more tendons.
• Assessment of total active motion (TAM), pinch and grip strength, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, satisfaction, and adhesion.
• Monitoring of immune and infectious parameters including white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and T-cell counts.

Main Results:

• Twenty-six allogeneic tendons were used in ten patients with an average follow-up of 50 months.
• Significant improvements in TAM (126.4°), grip strength (13.69 kg), and pinch strength (0.83 kg) were observed.
• The average DASH score was 14.25, with high patient satisfaction (70% satisfied, 30% partially satisfied) and no significant immune or infectious complications.

Conclusions:

• Functional reconstruction using allogeneic tendons is an effective and safe option for severe hand injuries with multiple tendon defects.
• Allogeneic tendon grafting demonstrates potential for restoring hand function and improving patient quality of life.
• Further research is warranted to expand on these findings and optimize allogeneic tendon reconstruction protocols.