Flexor tendon division at "no-man's land" of the hand treated by primary suture and passive controlled mobilization

Flexor tendon injuries to the no-man's land of the hand previously exclusively treated by delayed operation and tendon grafting can be treated successfully by primary suture and postoperative controlled passive mobilization. Ten patients with flexor divisions of fourteen fingers were operated on using a modified Kessler technique and mobilized passively under control. The outcome in two tendons was poor, in one it was fair and in all the others good. The reason for the poor result in the two cases was suture leakage. Primary tendon repair should be preserved for clean uncomplicated tendon divisions. Sufficient experience in surgery of the hand is necessary to achieve good results.