Finger zone II flexor tendon repair in children (5–10 years of age) using three ‘figure of eight’ sutures followed by immediate active mobilization

Abstract

For children between 5–10 years of age with zone II flexor tendon lacerations, the literature recommends a modified early mobilization programme under the supervision of a hand therapist but the fingers are immobilized between physiotherapy sessions. We report on a series of children between 5–10 years of age with flexor tendon lacerations (n = 54 fingers) in zone II repaired with a six-strand core suture (three separate ‘figure of eight’ sutures) and actively mobilized immediately after surgery similar to adult rehabilitation programmes with no immobilization between the physiotherapy sessions. The average follow-up for the study group was 13 months (range 7–25 months). There were no ruptures. The final outcome was excellent in 46 fingers (85%) and good in the remaining eight fingers (15%) using the Strickland–Glogovac criteria.