The Effect of Flexor Sheath Integrity on Flexor Tendon Repair: An Experimental Study

3 kinds of methods of flexor sheath management have been compared, using rabbits as the experimental model. The result shows that there is no significant differences in function and histology among the sheath excision group, midlateral incision and repair group and palmar midline incision and repair group 1 week, 3 week, 6 week postoperatively. We conclude that closure of the sheath after primary flexor tendon repair does not appear to be necessary.