Delayed Wound Healing Worsens Outcomes in Flexor Tendon Repair Surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Flexor tendon injuries in the hand can lead to significant morbidity and prolonged recovery.
• Zone 1/2 injuries require careful management to optimize patient outcomes.
• Potential complications include repair rupture and the need for revision surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if delayed wound healing is a risk factor for poorer functional outcomes in patients with zone 1/2 flexor tendon injuries.
• To investigate the relationship between healing time and functional recovery after surgical repair.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for managing hand flexor tendon injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient records for flexor tendon injuries.
• Inclusion of patient demographics, comorbidities, injury details, and surgical information.
• Recording of outpatient outcomes, including total active movement and repair integrity.

Main Results:

• Sixty-one flexor tendon injuries were analyzed.
• A statistically significant negative correlation was found between days to wound healing and total active movement at 6 and 12 weeks.
• Increased time to achieve a healed wound was associated with poorer functional outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Delayed wound healing is a significant risk factor for reduced functional outcomes after zone 1/2 flexor tendon repair.
• Optimizing wound healing is critical for improving patient recovery and hand function.
• Careful consideration of surgical techniques to expedite healing may improve overall patient results.