D. Elliot

The Rupture Rate of Acute Flexor Tendon Repairs Mobilized by the Controlled Active Motion Regimen

A series of 233 patients with complete divisions of flexor tendons in zones 1 and 2 underwent operation following emergency admission over a period of 3.5 years. These included 203 patients with 317 divided tendons in 224 fingers injuries in zones 1 and 2 and 30 patients with 30 complete divisions of the flexor pollicis longus tendon in zones 1 and 2. All of these patients were mobilized post-operatively in a controlled active motion regimen. 13 (5.8%) fingers and five (16.6%) thumbs suffered tendon rupture during the post-operative period. Patients treated during the last year of the study were followed prospectively for a minimum period of 3 months; ten of the 16 (62.5%) fingers with zone 1 repairs, 50 of the 63 (79.4%) fingers with zone 2 repairs, all three (100%) FPL divisions in zone 1 and three of four (75%) FPL divisions in zone 2 had good and excellent results on assessment by the original Strickland criteria (Strickland and Glogovac, 1980). These results confirm the safety of this regimen as an alternative to other regimens of post-operative flexor tendon repair mobilization in zone 1 and 2 finger injuries. However, in the unmodified form used in this series, this regimen has too high a rupture rate for FPL mobilization.

Prostanoid receptor EP1 and Cox-2 in injured human nerves and a rat model of nerve injury: a time-course study

BackgroundRecent studies show that inflammatory processes may contribute to neuropathic pain. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is an inducible enzyme responsible for production of prostanoids, which may sensitise sensory neurones via the EP1 receptor. We have recently reported that while macrophages infiltrate injured nerves within days of injury, they express increased Cox-2-immunoreactivity (Cox-2-IR) from 2 to 3 weeks after injury. We have now investigated the time course of EP1 and Cox-2 changes in injured human nerves and dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and the chronic constriction nerve injury (CCI) model in the rat.MethodsTissue sections were immunostained with specific antibodies to EP1, Cox-2, CD68 (human macrophage marker) or OX42 (rat microglial marker), and neurofilaments (NF), prior to image analysis, from the following: human brachial plexus nerves (21 to 196 days post-injury), painful neuromas (9 days to 12 years post-injury), avulsion injured DRG, control nerves and DRG, and rat CCI model tissues. EP1 and NF-immunoreactive nerve fibres were quantified by image analysis.ResultsEP1:NF ratio was significantly increased in human brachial plexus nerve fibres, both proximal and distal to injury, in comparison with uninjured nerves. Sensory neurones in injured human DRG showed a significant acute increase of EP1-IR intensity. While there was a rapid increase in EP1-fibres and CD-68 positive macrophages, Cox-2 increase was apparent later, but was persistent in human painful neuromas for years. A similar time-course of changes was found in the rat CCI model with the above markers, both in the injured nerves and ipsilateral dorsal spinal cord.ConclusionDifferent stages of infiltration and activation of macrophages may be observed in the peripheral and central nervous system following peripheral nerve injury. EP1 receptor level increase in sensory neurones, and macrophage infiltration, appears to precede increased Cox-2 expression by macrophages. However, other methods for detecting Cox-2 levels and activity are required. EP1 antagonists may show therapeutic effects in acute and chronic neuropathic pain, in addition to inflammatory pain.

PRIMARY FLEXOR TENDON REPAIR – OPERATIVE REPAIR, PULLEY MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION

The central tenet of modern flexor tendon surgery is to repair and move divided flexor tendons within a few days of injury. While all flexor tendon surgery is complicated, it is simplest in the newly injured and unscarred digit and the results of correctly rehabilitated primary repairs are likely to be the best attainable. Nevertheless, repair of the divided flexor tendon to achieve normal or near-normal function consistently remains a problem which has not yet been solved. Over and above the actual technical difficulties of repairing tendons, the complications of rupture and adherence of repairs during healing continue to trouble us to an extent that the result of every primary flexor tendon repair still remains uncertain. Healing the flexor tendon takes about 3 months, a period which is sometimes longer than that for which the hand can be kept free of activities or accidents liable to snap the repair. In any healing area, a glue of fibrin-loaded oedema is formed which later converts to scar tissue to achieve a very durable bond. Unfortunately, the body does not limit this healing process to those structures which are injured. Everything in the vicinity becomes involved in the healing process, with the unwanted result that all the tissues become ‘spot-welded’ together by scar adhesions. The devastation this can cause, not only to the flexors but also to other structures of the hand, is the cause of a great deal of the morbidity of hand injury and the source of much of secondary hand surgery. This ‘spot-welding’ can occur anywhere along the length of a flexor tendon but is a particular problem in the digits, where the flexors move within a system as finely bored as the pistons in an engine. For 50 years, most of the drive in this field has been to create a mechanical system which allows us to keep the tendon repair moving after surgery, in the belief that this will prevent adhesions. Early mobilization does not, of course, prevent adhesions entirely, but it does create a form of scarring which allows us to regain much of the range of movement and, sometimes, even return function to normal. Because rupture defeats this aim, there has been a need to create sutures and suture techniques strong enough to allow this movement. Current debate is largely concerned with the fine detail of ‘best’ ways to repair and rehabilitate. An adjunct, or even alternative, to the mechanical approach of strong suture techniques and early mobilization is to try to minimize the formation of adhesions by chemical means. This has been attempted with a variety of drugs, including cytotoxics, hyaluronidase

Primary Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone 1

This paper presents an analysis of the results of repair of 102 complete flexor tendon disruptions in zone 1 which were rehabilitated by an early active mobilization technique during a 7 year period from 1992 to 1998. These injuries were subdivided into: distal tendon divisions requiring reinsertion; more proximal tendon divisions but still distal to the A4 pulley; tendon divisions under or just proximal to the A4 pulley; and closed avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the distal phalanx. Assessment by Strickland’s original criteria showed good and excellent results of 64%, 60%, 55% and 67% respectively in the four groups. However, examination of the results measuring the range of movement of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint alone provided a more realistic assessment of the affect of this injury on DIP joint function, with good and excellent results of only 50%, 46%, 50% and 22% respectively in the four groups.

Venting or partial lateral release of the A2 and A4 pulleys after repair of zone 2 flexor tendon injuries.

The need for lateral release or “venting” of the A2 and A4 pulleys either to facilitate repair of the flexor tendon(s) or to allow free gliding of the repair(s) was examined in 126 consecutive zone 2 flexor tendon injuries within the tendon sheath and distal to the distal edge of the A2 pulley (zones 2A and 2B of Tang’s classification) in which at least one flexor tendon had been completely divided. This study showed that 81 (64%) of these repairs required venting of one or the other pulley. It was necessary to vent the A4 pulley between 10 and 100% of its length in 71 (56%) of the fingers and to vent the distal edge of the A2 pulley by 4 to 10 mm in 10 (8%) of the fingers.

A COMPARISON OF DYNAMIC EXTENSION SPLINTING AND CONTROLLED ACTIVE MOBILIZATION OF COMPLETE DIVISIONS OF EXTENSOR TENDONS IN ZONES 5 AND 6

We present a prospective randomized trial of two groups of 50 patients each having complete zone 5 and 6 extensor tendon injuries. These were rehabilitated by the use of either a dynamic outrigger splint or a palmar blocking splint. The results were analysed using the Miller and TAM assessments. Good and excellent results were achieved in 95 and 98% of cases following dynamic outrigger mobilization and 93 and 95% of cases using palmar blocking splint mobilization, using the Miller and TAM assessments respectively. There was no statistical difference in the results obtained between the two groups. Therefore, we prefer the latter technique which is simple, cheap, more convenient and requires less therapy time.

Treatment of end-neuromas, neuromas-in-continuity and scarred nerves of the digits by proximal relocation.

This paper reports the results of treatment by proximal relocation of 104 painful nerves in 57 digits in 48 patients. These included 86 digital nerves and 18 terminal branches of the superficial radial nerve and the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve. Eighty-three were end-neuromas and 14 were neuromas-in-continuity, of which nine followed nerve repair and five occurred following a closed crush injury. Seven were painful as a result of tethering in scarred tissue. Eighty nerves (77%) required a single relocation and 24 (23%) required more than one operation. Ninety-eight per cent of nerve relocations achieved complete pain relief at the primary site. One patient had mild pain on pressure at the primary site after relocation of two nerves from this site. Over 90% of the nerves had no spontaneous pain, pain on movement or hypersensitivity of the overlying skin at the final site of relocation. However, the incidence of mild or no pain on direct pressure at the site of nerve relocation was lower at 83% as relocated nerves, although traumatized less often at the sites chosen for relocation, can still be painful on direct pressure.

Primary Flexor Tendon Surgery: The Search for a Perfect Result

Repair of the divided flexor tendon to achieve normal, or near normal, function is an unsolved problem, with each result still uncertain. The authors believe the way forward in primary flexor tendon surgery clinically is by use of strengthened but simpler sutures, appropriate venting of the pulley system, and maintaining early rehabilitation. However, there needs also be consideration of patient factors and other aspects. Research needs to continue more widely, in both the laboratory and the clinical environment, to find ways of better modifying adhesions after surgical repair of the tendon.

IFSSH Flexor Tendon Committee report 2014: from the IFSSH Flexor Tendon Committee (Chairman: Jin Bo Tang).

Hand surgeons continue to search for the best surgical flexor tendon repair and treatment of the tendon sheaths and pulleys, and they are attempting to establish postoperative regimens that fit diverse clinical needs. It is the purpose of this report to present the current views, methods, and suggestions of six senior hand surgeons from six different countries — all experienced in tendon repair and reconstruction. Although certainly there is common ground, the report presents provocative views and approaches. The report reflects an update in the views of the committee. We hope that it is helpful to surgeons and therapists in treating flexor tendon injuries.

Reconstruction of the axilla with a posterior arm fasciocutaneous flap

We present our experience with the use of the posterior arm fasciocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of 22 axillae in 17 patients. These patients all suffered from long-standing, severe hidradenitis suppurativa and this flap was used to reconstruct the axilla after surgical excision of the whole hair-bearing area of the axilla and the underlying axillary disease. In most cases, excision included all of the axillary contents up to the axillary vessels but excluded the apex of the axilla. Nineteen axillae were reconstructed with a pedicled flap. Three axillae were reconstructed more recently with an island flap. All reconstructions were achieved without flap complications.