When flexor tendons are injuried in children, the management is difficult. There are needs to determine the periods of postoperative immobilization.

From April 1994 to March 1998, 40 patients younger than 16 years who had sustained flexor tendon lacerations in zone I or zone II of 52 digits were available for critical evaluation. The average postoperative follow-up period was 24 (range, 3-48) months.

All profundus repairs in zone I achieved excellent or good function. Isolated profundus and combined profundus and superficialis repairs in zone II achieved comparable results which managed with a passive motion program immediately after operation (TAM=82%) or motion following immobilization for 3 weeks (TAM =79%) or 4 weeks (TAM=78%) . Immobilization for longer than 4 weeks which resulted in an appreciable deterioration of funtion (5 weeks: TAM=64%, 6 weeks: TAM=61%) . Digital motion following flexor tendon injuries treated with less than 4 weeks of immobilization or early motion was not significantly different.

We could find no benefits of early mobilization protocols in children. Howerver, it does appear that it is important that postoperative immobilization not be continued beyond 4 weeks.