A two-stage procedure is described for severely damaged flexor tendons in “no man's land”. In the first stage the damaged tendons and scarred tendon sheath are excised and a segment of the saphenous vein, cannulated by a silicone rubber rod is transplanted into the tendon bed.
In the second stage the silicone-rod is replaced by a free transplanted tendon. The endothelial lining of the vein is a guarantee of a good gliding surface and an obstacle to adhesion formation, and so it ensures good function. A review of the method and a survey of thirty-nine cases are presented.
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