[Dermatotenodesis in the treatment of "mallet finger"].

"Tenodermodesis" is a surgical technique devised and recommended in order to correct chronic mallet finger deformity. In the last ten years, at the I Orthopedic Clinic of Padua University, tenodermodesis combined with a longitudinal transarticular Kirschner wire fixation has been used for treating a total of 25 mallet fingers: 20 acute and 5 chronic lesions. This lesion was always due to a simple tendon injury with a flexion deformity up to 45 degrees. Based on the results, the authors suggest the use of this techniques for treating acute lesions especially in young people, whatever finger has been injured. The reason why the authors themselves are not capable of giving a significant opinion on the validity of the method in the treatment of chronic mallet deformity is the small number of patients treated.