Central slip tenotomy for chronic mallet finger.

We performed a retrospective audit of a consecutive series of twenty-three patients to evaluate the results of central slip tenotomy performed for chronic mallet finger. The surgery was performed at a mean of 42 (range four to 480) months after surgery and the pre-operative extensor lag at the distal interphalangeal joint was a mean of 44 (range 20-80) degrees. At the time of evaluation, at a mean of 33 (range six to 95) months after surgery, the extensor lag had improved to a mean of seven (range zero to 40) degrees. Using a simple clinical grading system, there were 12 excellent, six good, three fair and two poor results. Three patients had complications; one infection requiring antibiotics, and two who had post-operative extensor lags at the proximal interphalangeal joint which responded to a period of splinting and hand therapy.