[Primary care of extensor tendon injuries].

Therapeutic conclusions are derived from the anatomical peculiarities of the extensor apparatus of the fingers and the extensor tendons of the metacarpus and the wrist. In open wounds primary sutures are universally possible and promising except in cases with tendon defects or with special risk of infection. Our preferred technique employs a central wire suture which is barbed to resist proximal traction, combined with fine peripheral sutures. In closed ruptures at the DIP-level conservative as well as operative treatment can be advised, whereas at the PIP-joint and in more proximal regions operative measures are preferred.