Relative efficacy of three different tendon repairs in complete flexor digitorum profundus laceration in Zone I: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Hand flexor tendon injuries are common and biomechanically challenging to achieve good functional outcomes. Several approaches using the Pennington-modified Kessler repair technique have been attempted, but high-level evidence is still lacking. Here, we evaluated the relative efficacy of three versions of the Pennington-modified Kessler technique in repairing complete flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) laceration in Zone 1. We conducted a 2-year, single-center, double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 85 patients with 105 digits enrolled between June 1, 2017 and January 1, 2019. Eligible participants were 20–60 years of age and underwent tendon repair in the acute phase for complete FDP laceration distal to the insertion of the superficial flexor tendon. The digits were randomized 1:1:1 to three treatment groups: (1) Pennington-modified Kessler repair; (2) Pennington-modified Kessler repair followed by circumferential tendon suture; or (3) Pennington-modified Kessler repair followed by circumferential epitenon suture. The primary endpoint was total active range of motion (TAROM) at 2 years after the initial surgery. The secondary endpoint was the reoperation rate. Compared with group 1, both techniques for peripheral suture were associated with a decrease in TAROM at 2 years after surgery. The total reoperation rates of the three groups were 11.4%, 18.2%, and 17.6%, and we found no significant differences among the three groups possibly due to the limited sample size. Unexpectedly, among participants with complete FDP laceration in Zone I, both circumferential-tendon and circumferential-epitenon sutures caused worsening of TAROM after 2 years. No conclusions can be drawn regarding reoperation rates among the groups. Level of evidence: Therapeutic level I.