Staged flexor tendon reconstruction using pedicled tendon graft from the flexor digitorum superficialis

The use of pedicled flexor digitorum superficialis tendon as a tendon graft in the second stage of flexor tendon reconstruction has the advantage of employing local intrasynovial tendon graft and allowing early active range of motion. This method of staged flexor tendon reconstruction was used in 47 patients between 1983 and 1993. Thirty-three patients were evaluated 1 year or longer after the second stage of surgery. The follow-up period averaged 3.7 years. Sixty-four percent of the injuries were in zone II, and 30% were Boyes grade V in severity. Good to excellent results were achieved in 64% of patients. Three patients needed graft tenolysis. Postoperative persistent flexion contractures ranging from 8 degrees to 55 degrees of the proximal interphalangeal or distal interphalangeal joints or both were present in 88% of patients. Several factors that influenced the final outcome were identified: age over 25 years, zone II injuries of Boyes grade V, and the lack of a regular postoperative rehabilitation program were associated with relatively less successful final results.