Reconstruction using vascularized extensor indicis proprius tendon.

Abstract The choice of the donor tendon in tendon reconstruction of the hand theoretically influences the results of the surgery because of the interactions of its structure with the healing process. The objective of our study was to specify the surgical bases of vascularized extensor indicis proprius (EIP) in tendon reconstruction of the hand and to present its application from a series of observations. According to our observations, the EIP’s vascularization arises from a branch of the 2nd dorsal metacarpal artery, 3 to 4 cm proximally to the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP). We demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a vascularized EIP graft for finger flexor tendon reconstruction, for defects of the extensor mechanism at the MCP joint level and for reconstruction of the extensor pollicis longus. Our biomimetic approach in tendon reconstruction has led us to factor in the complexity of the tendon and peritendinous structure. The use of vascularized EIP offers theoretical advantages for the tendon healing process, demonstrates encouraging first results with interesting versatility and very low iatrogenicity.