DIVISION of the flexor tendons within the digital sheath of the hand is a rather common injury, and its repair is a real challenge to the surgeon interested in trauma of the hand. The tendons divided retract and separate widely, and to obtain these separated ends and to unite them within the strict confines of the dense fibrous sheath of the digit creates a difficult problem. To secure union of the separated tendons within the sheath and later to hope for a gliding mechanism to provide flexion is almost a paradox.
It is rarely possible to perform a primary end-to-end suture of the flexor tendon within the digital sheath. It is felt that these injuries should not be repaired after two hours from the time of trauma or if unwise first aid has been administered. Search for the separated ends requires the enlargement of incisions and the opening of new