FLEXOR SHEATH CLOSURE DURING DELAYED PRIMARY TENDON REPAIR

We studied the effect of flexor tendon sheath closure on flexor tendon function after delayed primary flexor tendon suture in white leghorn chickens. The tendon suture was carried out after a tendon laceration. In the left foot the tendon sheath was closed after tendon suture, an d in the right the sheath was excised over the tendon suture. Tendon g liding, joint motion, the fate of the closed sheath, peritendinous adh esions, and tendon healing were studied. The sutured sheath disappeare d after suturing and was associated with poor tendon healing. Sheath c losure did not improve flexor tendon function in a delayed primary rep air.