[Result of flexor tendor repair in children (author's transl)]

This is a comparison of the results of 14 primary sutures of the flexor tendon, 11 secondary (one-stage) and 14 seconary (two-stage) interposition grafts. Flexion and extension of the fingers treated were best after the primary tendon suture, worst after the secondary interposition graft at one sitting. Since good results were obtained with the primary flexor tendon suture even in unclean, crushed tissues, we conclude that in children a primary tendon suture should be aimed at as a rule. Where the primary treatment is unsuccessful, the secondary two-stage procedure should be preferred to the one-stage interposition graft. The comparison also shows that the two-stage secondary procedure gives better results when the proximal tendon anastomosis is sutured near the muscle, instead of in the palm of the hand.