A review of 100 flexor tendon reconstructions with prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Tendon grafting is crucial for restoring function after injury.
• One-stage tendon grafting may yield suboptimal results in complex cases.
• Alternative methods are needed to prepare the tendon bed for optimal graft healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of using silicone rods for flexor tendon graft bed preparation.
• To identify complications associated with silicone rod use in this context.
• To assess the overall outcomes of flexor tendon grafting following silicone rod preparation.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 100 cases utilizing silicone rods for flexor tendon graft bed preparation.
• Analysis of indications for the technique, focusing on scenarios with anticipated poor outcomes for single-stage grafting.
• Documentation and categorization of complications, including synovitis, infection, and rod displacement.

Main Results:

• Silicone rods were employed in 100 cases, primarily for challenging flexor tendon reconstructions.
• Identified complications included periprosthetic synovitis, surgical site infections, and distal silicone rod detachment.
• The technique demonstrated satisfactory overall outcomes despite the noted complications.

Conclusions:

• Silicone rod insertion serves as a viable method for preparing tendon beds, particularly in complex flexor tendon reconstructions.
• Awareness of potential complications such as synovitis and infection is essential for patient management.
• The overall satisfactory results support the continued use of silicone rods in select cases of flexor tendon grafting.