Two-staged extensor tendon reconstruction for zone 6 extensor tendon loss of the fingers: indications, technique and results

Abstract

Over a 20-year period, six patients (19 tendons) underwent two-staged extensor tendon reconstruction using silicone rods followed by palmaris longus tendon grafts sutured proximally to the divided flexor carpi radialis tendon. All patients were young men (mean age, 22 years) who sustained the injury in car accidents. The soft tissue loss from the dorsum of the hand was associated with extensor tendon loss over the entire zone 6 with or without loss in zone 7. Primary soft tissue coverage was done elsewhere, and patients presented for secondary tendon reconstruction. All patients had supple metacarpophalangeal joints before reconstruction. After the two-staged tendon reconstruction, full or near-full active flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints was obtained in all patients. However, minor extension lags (10°–15°) at the metacarpophalangeal joints were seen in 15 out of 19 reconstructed fingers.