[Neglected perforation of a plastic implant after flexor tendon injury]

The remarkable resistance to infection of the new tendon sheath induced by silicone rubber spacers is demonstrated in a case of a 36 years old woman who received a silicone rubber spacer after flexor tendon injury. The patient did not return for the planned tendon grafting in spite of repeated requests. After two years she came back with an ulcer on her finger tip where the silastic rod was visible. 6 months previously the rod had extruded and been lost, found again and replaced. No inflammation existed, except ulceration at the site of perforation. The ulcer healed within a few days after removal of the spacer and local irrigation. The patient refused any further treatment.