Overview

Introduction: Hand Tendon injuries are not uncommon. Achieving a satisfactory range of motion and preventing tendon rupture after repair of flexor tendon injuries remains a challenge to hand surgeons.

Objectives: To compare functional outcome of tendon repair with Modified Kessler and four strand cruciate techniques.

Material and Methods: Randomized control trial was conducted from July 2013 to June 2015. Both male and female patients of age 18 to 60 years who had clean lacerated injury proximal to wrist crease (Zone V) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients with dirty or infected wounds, or those having multiple injuries other than tendons, having injury to extensor tendons were excluded from the study. Arm A comprised of patients who underwent modified Kessler repair and Arm B included patients whose repair was done via four strand cruciate repair technique. The final outcome at 8 weeks was compared by using Strickland’s evaluation system.

Results: A total of 140 fingers of 44 patients with sharp wrist laceration injury of long flexor tendons of fingers were included in this study. The average age of patients was 28.05 ± 10.42 years. Out of 44 patients, 28 (63.64%) were males and 16 (36.36%) females. At 8th week, satisfactory functional outcome (excellent group according to Strickland evaluation) was observed in 65.7% (46/70) fingers in four strand cruciate repair technique and in 28.6% (20/70) fingers in standard modified Kessler repair technique and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Four strand cruciate repair technique is better than standard modified Kessler method for repair of long flexor tendons of fingers.

Keywords: Impairments; Activity limitations; Green houses; Senior living; Outcome measure