Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open
Differential Splinting After Zone II Flexor Tendon Repair: The Bidirectional Splint
By Bakhach J, Bakhach D, El Hachem T and 5 others.
Abstract
Background
Zone II flexor tendon injuries remain challenging because of the risks of rupture, adhesions, and stiffness. Splint design may influence repair-site tension during early healing. We describe a novel bidirectional splint (B-splint) that applies differential tensioning and compare its outcomes with those of conventional dorsal blocking splinting.
Methods
We retrospectively studied 59 patients (99 repaired tendons): 20 patients (31 tendons) treated with the B-splint after flexor digitorum profundus repair and 39 patients (68 tendons) treated with a dorsal blocking splint. The B-splint positions repaired digits in metacarpophalangeal flexion with interphalangeal extension while maintaining the noninjured digits in full extension. Functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Strickland score; tendon rupture and tenolysis were recorded. Categorical outcomes were compared using exact tests.