Sliding intercalated autograft for tendon defect reconstruction – The elongation rail technique (ERT)

Tendon defect reconstruction is a challenging procedure that can be complicated by tendon retraction or tendon gap increase after debridement of interposed scar tissue. Although application of tendon autografts from dispensable tendons is considered the gold standard for bridging the gap, donor-site morbidity cannot be ignored. We use a local sliding tendon autograft which can avoid distant graft harvesting and it is adaptable across all tendon zones for reconstruction of tendon defects. A reverse l-type longitudinal incision of the same length with the measured final gap is made at the midsubstance of the proximal tendon stump and the created intercalary tendon segment is transferred distally to bridge the gap, providing an "elongated" proximal stump of the required length. The Elongation Rail Technique has been applied successfully in four patients with flexor tendon defects with favorable results and functional outcome at 6 months follow-up according to Strickland and Glogovac criteria.