ENDOSCOPIC RETRIEVAL OF SEVERED FLEXOR TENDONS - A STUDY OF TECHNIQUEUSING CADAVERIC HANDS

Retrieval of retracted zone 1, 2, and 3 flexor tendons without a proxi mal incision can occasionally lead to excessive tendon trauma or injur y to neurovascular structures, To determine if endoscopic flexor tendo n retrieval is a reliable, reproducible technique, 34 zone 2 flexor te ndon lacerations were created in four cadaveric hands (2 male; 2 femal e), The tendons were retracted proximally an average of 4.3 +/- 1.9 cm (range, 2-10 cm) through a separate transverse wrist incision, A 2.5- mm flexible endoscope was introduced into the distal tendon sheath, an d all transected tendons (N = 34) were clearly visualized, Thirty-two tendons (94%) were retrieved endoscopically by using either a loop sna re or grasping forceps, Two tendons (6%) in a small female hand could not be retrieved endoscopically, This minimally invasive technique may be an alternative to the blind grasping maneuvers, proximal incision extensions, and counter-incisions in the palm.