[The potential of high-resolution sonography in the follow-up of surgically treated flexor tendons].

Sonography of the hand is frequently used for diagnostics of hand diseases. Advantages are the lack of side effects (e. g., X-ray contamination) and easy accessibility. Soft tissues of the hand are easily examined using a linear-array transducer with a high frequency (7.5 to 15 MHz) and, in some cases, a pre-positioned device (water or gel). Also there is the possibility to record functional motility of ligaments or joints non-invasively. The beneficial use of sonography is demonstrated on patients with injured flexor tendons of the hand or fingers. Ultrasound was used to examine ligaments after suture, for the diagnosis of suspected re-ruptures and in cases of fibrotic adhesions. In this study, the sonomorphology of previously injured flexor tendons with consecutive surgical reconstruction was examined in 47 patients. The average observation period was eight months post-operatively. 15 patients were submitted to a second operation. In 86.5 % of the cases, the sonographic results acquired prior to surgery were in agreement with macroscopic morphology seen during the operation.