The surgery of the flexor tendon injuries of hand (literature review)

This paper describes the current challenges of flexor tendon repair, and evaluates the most recent advances and strategies for achieving an excellent functional outcome. The flexor tendons of the hand are critical for normal hand function. Injury to these tendons can result in absent finger flexion, and a subsequent loss of overall hand function. The treatment of such injuries is a difficult task for surgeons due to the unique anatomy of the flexor tendons at the hand level and the peculiarities of the regeneration. The surgical techniques used to repair these tendons have improved in the past few decades, as have the postoperative rehabilitation protocols. In spite of these advances, flexor tendon repairs continue to be plagued by postoperative scar formation, which limits tendon gliding and prevents a full functional recovery. In addition, there is no consensus on the optimal technique for repairing flexor tendons in each anatomical area. The paucity of high-quality studies and the heterogeneous design of studies limits the ability to compare results, which raises many controversial questions. Thus, the results of the literature review indicate the need to continue research in this area.