Further experience in rehabilitation of zone II flexor tendon repair with dynamic traction splinting.

A review of all flexor tendon repairs in the "no man's land" performed from January of 1985 to June of 1987 was done to evaluate the efficacy of our method of rehabilitation. There were 60 fingers (57 patients) with complete laceration of the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis tendons in zone II. Fingers with phalangeal fractures, joint injuries, or significant skin loss were excluded. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 48 months. Rehabilitation consisted of a 12-week protocol using the U.S. military combined regimen of controlled motion. Features from the technique of controlled active extension against rubber band passive flexion as well as those of controlled passive extension and passive flexion were incorporated. The palmar pulley modification of Kleinert's dynamic traction splint was utilized. Strickland's total active motion formula was employed to determine results. The results were classified into the four categories of excellent, good, fair, and poor. Fifty-two fingers (86 percent) were rated excellent, 4 fingers (7 percent) were rated good, 1 finger (2 percent) was rated fair, and 3 fingers (5 percent) were rated poor.

A comparison of results of extensor tendon repair followed by early controlled mobilisation versus static immobilisation.

To compare the functional results of early controlled mobilisation and static immobilisation following repair of extensor tendons, we conducted a comparative study between two centres. In one, a consecutive series of tenorrhaphy patients was treated post-operatively by the dynamic splinting technique. In the other, a consecutive group was treated by static splinting. All patients treated by dynamic splinting were graded excellent within six weeks following surgery; no tendon ruptures occurred and no secondary corrective tendon surgery was required. After static splinting, 40% were graded excellent, 31% good, 29% fair, and none poor; six fingers treated by static splintage subsequently required tenolysis. Following surgical repair of extensor tendons of the hand, patients treated by early controlled motion regain better flexion function in terms of grip strength and pulp-to-palm distance. Dynamic splinting is a more effective technique than static splinting in the prevention of extensor lag.

Controlled motion rehabilitation after flexor tendon repair and grafting. A multi-centre study.

We present a system for treatment by controlled motion after repair of flexor tendons in the hand. This Washington regimen incorporates both controlled active extension against passive flexion by rubber band and the use of controlled passive extension and flexion. We utilise the Brooke Army Hospital modification of the rubber band passive flexion splint; this provides for maximal excursion of the tendon with full passive flexion of the finger. The 66 patients (78 fingers) who form the basis of this study all sustained complete laceration of the flexor profundus and superficialis tendons in "no man's land". Results were evaluated by the Strickland formula of total active motion (TAM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Sixty-two fingers (80%) were rated "excellent", 14 fingers (18%) were "good", two fingers (2%) were "fair", none was rated "poor". Our regimen of controlled motion rehabilitation has also been applied with equal success to cases of flexor tendon grafting.

Flexor tendon repair and rehabilitation in zone II open sheath technique versus closed sheath technique.

A comparative prospective study of the surgical management of the tendon sheath after repair of flexor tendons in zone II is reported. The study included only patients with lacerations of both flexor tendons and no other associated injuries. A modified Kessler suture was used to repair the profundus tendon and the superficialis tendon was repaired with a horizontal mattress suture. In 48 fingers the flexor tendon sheath was left open and it was closed in the second group of 42 fingers. When it was impossible to close the tendon sheath, a vein patch was taken from the dorsal veins of the hand. Both groups of patients were treated with the same regimen of controlled motion rehabilitation and supervised by the same hand therapist. Results were evaluated by the Strickland formula for total active motion of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. There was no statistical difference between the results of open sheath versus closed sheath in these two groups of patients treated postoperatively with the same controlled motion rehabilitation program.

A combined regimen of controlled motion following flexor tendon repair in "no man's land".

A program of controlled motion following repair of flexor tendons in the hand is presented. This regimen incorporates the features of active extension against rubber band passive flexion, as well as those of controlled passive extension and passive flexion. In this prospective study, 44 digits with complete lacerations of the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis in zone 2 were treated. Using the Strickland formula of total active motion of the interphalangeal joints, 36 fingers (82 percent) were rated "excellent"; 7 fingers (16 percent) were rated "good"; 1 finger (2 percent) was rated "fair"; none was rated "poor". There was no statistical difference between the results of delayed primary repair and immediate primary repair.

The groin flap in reparative surgery of the hand.

The historical literature of the use of axial vascular pattern flaps from the hypogastric and iliofemoral regions in reparative surgery of the hand is concisely reviewed. Thirty-six iliofemoral (groin) flaps were utilized for delayed primary resurfacing and secondary reconstruction of defects of the hand and forearm. Two flaps (6 percent) were complicated by partial necrosis. We caution against the immediate resurfacing (within 24 hours of injury) of acute crushed hand wounds by distant flaps. The immediate application of a healthy flap on a soiled or crushed wound invites complications of local tissue necrosis, infection, and subsequent loss of the flap. When distant flaps are indicated for coverage of acute hand wounds, delayed primary coverage following complete removal of all nonviable tissue is a safe and reliable regimen. It is advantageous to design the serviceable portion of the flap on the distal area of the vascular territory of the groin flap. Thoughtful yet "radical" defatting can be performed on the lateral portion of the groin flap territory. Constructed in this way, the long medial base of the groin flap allows freedom for movement at the wrist and metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, thus decreasing edema and stiffness. In the management of soft-tissue defects in the hand requiring distant flap coverage, we choose to utilize the conventional groin flap in preference to the microvascular free flap when both techniques will deliver equal results.

Anatomical basis for repair of ulnar and median nerves in the distal part of the forearm by group fascicular suture and nerve-grafting.

The topography of the intraneural fascicular groups must be understood if the treatment of acute lacerations of the major nerves in the forearm is to be successful. Most lacerations in the upper extremity occur at the wrist and in the distal half of the forearm. With microsurgical longitudinal dissections and serial sections, we studied the intraneural topography of the fascicular groups of the median and ulnar nerves utilizing forty-five fresh frozen or refrigerated specimens. We devised a new technique of light photography to demonstrate the distinct boundaries of the fascicular groups. The intraneural fascicular groups provide the anatomical basis for the recommended surgical techniques of group fascicular repair and nerve-grafting.

Surgical significance of the motor fascicular group of the ulnar nerve in the forearm.

The topography of the fascicular group of the ulnar nerve at the wrist and forearm was studied focusing on the motor (muscle) fascicular group. In 109 of 111 specimens studied (98%), the motor fascicular group of the ulnar nerve is located at the ulnar dorsal or straight dorsal position at the wrist and the distal forearm. This motor fascicular group may be identified as a distinct entity up to 90 mm proximal from the level of the radial styloid. The relatively constant location of the motor fascicular group is significant since most lacerations of the major peripheral nerves of the upper extremity are at the distal forearm or the wrist. In the surgical treatment of acute lacerations of the ulnar nerve at these levels, one should direct special attention to the correct identification, matching, and alignment of the motor fascicular group to enhance reinnervation of the intrinsic muscles of the hand.

Forearm replantation--long-term functional results.

The replantation of amputated extremities is justified only by the ultimate good function and appearance of the replanted part. This paper is a critical review of our clinical experience with forearm replantation and revascularization in 6 patients over the past ten years. All replanted parts survived. The long-term functional results of the forearm replants are analyzed. Return of function depends on nerve regeneration. The functional outcome in the first patient was unsatisfactory due to poor motor and sensory return. Specific attention directed to careful primary neurorrhaphy in subsequent cases yielded favorable results. We believe that two factors in particular are central in achieving good functional results in forearm replantation--careful repair of the severed major peripheral nerves, and postoperative hand rehabilitation programs.

Replantaion of portions of four fingers-long-term functional results.

We present a seven-year follow-up of a previously published case of 4-finger replantation in one hand. Replantation of the digits proved justified, yielding favorable results in sensory return, motor function, and appearance. We note that finger replantations distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint are associated with better functional results than those at more proximal levels. Impaired motion of the distal interphalangeal joint does not appreciably restrict the function of the hand, provided adequate range of active movement is preserved at the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. An uninjured proximal interphalangeal joint is critical in achieving favorable motor return after finer replantation. Technical excellence in digital nerve repair contributes to favorable sensory axonal regrowth. Digital replantation distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint may be viewed as primary microneurovascular reconstruction of a problem finger amputation stump. We believe, in the case of sharp amputation distal to an intact proximal interphalangeal joint, that single-digit replantation is indicated, given the likelihood of favorable functional and aesthetic results.