Abstract
Three cases of rupture of a flexor tendon graft many years after surgery are presented.
Two cases occurred 12 years after reconstruction and the third case occurred 21 years
after reconstruction. Each rupture was intratendinous, just proximal to the flexor
tendon sheath in 2 cases and at the proximal edge of the transverse carpal ligament
in the third case. Active digital flexion was restored by transfer of the flexor digitorum
superficialis from an adjacent finger to the distal tendon stump or by direct end-to-end
repair of the rupture site reinforced with an onlay autogenous patch graft. Patients
undergoing tendon grafting should be alerted to the possibility of rupture, even many
years later. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:1135-1139. Copyright © 2000 by the American Society
for Surgery of the Hand.)
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 20,
2000
Received:
February 8,
1999
Footnotes
*No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
**Reprint requests: Martin A. Posner, MD, 2 E 88 St, New York, NY 10128.
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
