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Background: Prevention of adhesions that restrain tendon gliding is based on early mobilization techniques. Such approach, anyway, does not guarantee positive outcomes., Methods: Seventy-five patients for a total number of 98 flexors tendons have been treated at the University Hospital of Messina between December 1993 and January 2000. Twenty-five patients, for a total number of 26 tendons, have been seen at follow-up. Seventeen lesions involved zone 2 and 9 involved zone 1. The modified Kessler suture has been generally used. All the repairs have been followed by an adequate early mobilization protocol, according to Kleinert (passive extension/active flexion) in nine patients and according to Risitano and Savage (active extension/active flexion) in 16., Results: Minimum follow-up was 12 months. We present results with an assessment performed according to Strickland and to Elliot for lesion in zone 1 and according to Strickland and using Total Active Motion of the finger for lesions in zone 2., Conclusions: The suturing technique and mobilization protocol did not affect results, but we made some considerations about respective advantages and disadvantages of either method.

Aims: To investigate demographics, modalities and type of injuries among a population of isolated traumatic injuries of extensor tendons in order to evaluate the consequences on health service and on prevention., Methods: Retrospective study of injuries treated at the divisions of Plastic Surgery and Orthopedics in a third level referral center among the years 1993-1999., Main Results: Data from 173 patients were analyzed, a prevalence of males (81%) and injuries at home (55%) has been observed. Especially young adults (46.88%) have been involved, the thumb has been most interested finger and the middle finger the least, with two peaks of incidence in spring and autumn. The lesions, exposed through an extension of the existing wound, have been usually sutured according to Kessler, adding an early protected motion protocol., Conclusions: We discuss the possible causes and consequences of data observed, with special reference to the possibility of treating isolated extensor tendon injuries at district hospitals by non-hand surgeons, and primary actions of prevention.