Effects of tenorraphy on the gliding function and tensile properties of partially lacerated canine digital flexor tendons

Management of a partially lacerated digital flexor tendon within zone II re mains controversial. To address this issue, we undertook an evaluation of t he impact of tenorrhaphy on the gliding function and tensile properties of canine flexor tendons with lacerations involving either 30% or 70% of their cross-sectional area. Assessment of tendon excursion and joint rotation af ter 6 weeks of postoperative controlled passive mobilization failed to reve al any statistically significant benefit from tenorrhaphy on the gliding fu nction. In fact, we demonstrated a significant negative effect of repair on tendons with 30% lacerations. Moreover, no significant differences between the structural properties or integrity of the repaired and nonrepaired ten dons could be demonstrated. Thus, in light of the inherent tensile properti es in these partially lacerated tendons, our data suggest that digital func tion of partially lacerated tendons of up to 70% of the cross-sectional are a may be preserved without primary repair. However, additional work is need ed to more definitively address this issue in a clinical context. Copyright (C) 1999 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.