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Summary Purpose The omega plasty on one side of the A2 and/or A4 pulley improves the gliding of repaired flexor tendons in zone II. The purpose of this study was whether or not the enlargement of the digital channel was better after the release of one or both sides of each pulley. Methods In fresh cadavers, the technique was to first disinsert the ulnar attachments of the A2 and A4 pulleys and then the radial insertions. An ultrasound was used to measure the large axis, the circumference, and the cross-sectional surface of each of A2 and A4 pulleys before release, after ulnar release and after radial release. Results The release of the A2 pulley reduces the risk of conflict in the sutured flexor tendons in the digital channel. The release of the A4 pulley seems less effective than that of A2. The release of the two pulleys reduces the risk of conflict in one sutured zone of the flexor tendons in the digital channel. Conclusion In all, if there is a conflict between the flexor tendons sutured opposite A2, we recommend an omega plasty on the two sides of the pulley. If the conflict appears opposite A4, we recommend the plasty of the two sides of A4 and A2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Omega "Ω" pulley plasty: a new technique for the surgical management of the De Quervain''s disease. The De Quervain tenosynovitis is an inadequacy into the first extensor compartment between the osteo-fibrous tunnel and the tendons. This mechanical conflict generates a tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons. This is generally expressed by a tenderness on the radial side of the wrist over the radial styloid process. The medical management consists on corticoids infiltrations of the first extensor compartment, the avoidance of repetitive and stress movements of the first ray with the use of a rest splint. The surgical approach is considered with the recurrence of the painful symptoms. This well-known pathology is reputated to require a simple section of the pulley. Our post-operative complications have been reported in the literature of this classical surgical solution. These complications concern an incomplete release of the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons particularly when an extensor sub-compartment exists and was overlooked, an irritation of the collateral branches of the sensitive radial nerve or the occurrence of a nevroma after a nerve injury and the most serious complication is a palmar subluxation of the extensor tendons which can occur with the thumb extended and the wrist flexed. In rare cases, this subluxation can be really painful and requires a surgical management with secondary reconstruction of the pulley. This reconstruction necessitates distal pedicle flaps from the dorsal retinaculum or the brachioradialis tendon. To prevent these complications, Codega and Kapandji described techniques of reconstruction of the pulley after its release. More recently, Le Viet reported a procedure using the anterior flap of the pulley; fixed to the dermis it will work as a barrier and maintain the tendons sliding on the radial styloid groove. These techniques require to divide the pulley and to reconstruct it suturing the different flaps. It can generate adherences between the extensor tendons, the overlying skin and the collateral branches of the radial nerve. The authors present a new and original plasty procedure of the first extensor compartment pulley, the "Ω" Omega plasty. It consists to liberate the anterior attachment of the pulley over the anterior lip of the styloïd process respecting its continuity with the periosteum flap. This conservative procedure is very interesting; it permits enough expansion of the tunnel volume decompressing the extensor tendons as a treatment of the De Quervain disease and respecting the anatomy and the continuity of the osteo-fibrous tunnel. This technique is simple, reliable and respects the first ray extensor tendons gliding physiology and biodynamic. In spite of our short clinical experience with only ten cases, all the patients retrieve a normal function of the thumb with complete disappearance of the first ray tenderness and pain without any complications. These preliminary results are encouraging and push us to consider the "Ω" plasty as a first choice for the surgical treatment of the De Quervain tenosynovitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We describe an innovative mini-open technique for reinsertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon under Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) with ultrasound assistance. Ultrasound-aided detection at the surgeon's practice is used to plan the surgical tendon repair procedure so that tendon reinsertion can be performed with the smallest incision possible. Passage of the tendon through the digital sheath was accomplished with the help of a compressive tendon guide to avoid a surgical approach. Reinsertion of the tendon under WALANT monitoring enables intraoperative validation of repair tension and physiological restitution of tendon glide within the digital sheath. Postoperative ultrasonographic examination at the surgeon's practice is an occasion to further patient education begun intraoperatively under WALANT., (Copyright © 2021 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Closed rupture of the thumb flexor tendon pulleys is rare. Although anatomical and biomechanical studies have exposed the roles played by the pulleys in flexor pollicis longus (FPL) function, no standardized surgical management has yet been defined, in contrast to situations where pulley reconstruction is required in the fingers. We describe a case of rupture of the three pulleys in the thumb that probably occurred after violent thumb grasp during childbirth in the absence of any other trauma. We reconstructed the A1 pulley only using an extensor retinaculum graft because no remnants of the native pulleys were present., (Copyright © 2018 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Résumé La réparation primitive des tendons fléchisseurs en zone 2 représente toujours un défi thérapeutique même dans les mains les plus expérimentées. Il s’agit d’obtenir, par une chirurgie la plus atraumatique possible, une suture de tendon suffisamment solide autorisant un glissement tendineux optimal durant les 12 semaines de cicatrisation tendineuse, en évitant une rupture de la réparation ou la survenue d’adhérences péritendineuses. Après un rappel anatomique de la zone 2, les auteurs font une mise au point des techniques de suture primitive en précisant leurs propres options. Bien que les méthodes de réparation et de rééducation ne soient pas univoques, toutes les équipes spécialisées ont adopté le principe d’une suture tendineuse multibrins (au moins 4) et une rééducation postopératoire par une mobilisation active précoce protégée et contrôlée. L’analyse des résultats de la littérature montre que les taux de ruptures de réparation ou les raideurs postopératoires par adhérences, bien qu’améliorés, sont cependant encore bien présents. Les recherches futures dans les domaines mécanique et biologique des réparations tendineuses de fléchisseurs, en particulier en zone 2, devront relever ce défi. Primary flexor tendon repair is still challenging even in the most experienced hands. With atraumatic surgery, the goal is to suture the tendon in a way that it will be strong enough to allow for tendon gliding without the risk of rupture or adhesions during the 12 weeks needed for the tendon to heal. After reviewing the zone 2 anatomy, the authors describe the state of art for flexor tendon repair along with their personal preferences. Although suture methods and postoperative rehabilitation programs are not universal, most specialized teams now use multistrand suturing techniques with at least 4 stands along with protected and controlled early active mobilization. Although the published rates of failure of the repair or postoperative adhesions with stiffness have decreased, these complications are still a concern. They will continue to pose a challenge for scientists performing research into the mechanics and biology of flexor tendon repairs, especially in zone 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]