Limited open-tendon-sheath irrigation in the treatment of pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.

A retrospective review of 27 patients (28 fingers) with pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis, who were treated by a limited, open-tendon-sheath, intermittent-irrigation method that utilized a small pediatric feeding catheter, was conducted. The cases were subcategorized into three stages, based on the intraoperative appearance of the wound. Our results were 100% excellent in stage I; and 88.4% excellent, 5.8% good, and 5.8% fair in stage II. This method proved effective for the surgical management of pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.