This series assesses the results of 152 zone II flexor tendon repairs. Patients (n = 84) were randomly divided into two groups, group I (immobilization), and group II (early active mobilization). Both groups had the knife as a predominant causative agent of injury (group I 59.5%; group II 59.4%). Age ranged in group I from 18 to 66 years (mean, 35 years), and in group II from 20 to 64 years (mean, 32 years). The period of study comprised January 1997 to June 2001. All patients had their surgeries between the 7th and the 21st day after the trauma. Inclusion criteria were a complete injury of both superficial and deep flexor tendons at zone II. The results were classified according to International Federation for the Societies of Surgery of Hand (IFSSH), and Strickland's classification. In group I, IFFSH results were good (42.5%), satisfactory (25.5%) and poor (32.0%). Upon Strickland's system, in group I, there were excellent (46.8%), good (23.4%), satisfactory (14.9%) and poor results (14.9%). In group II, IFFSH results were good (64.8%), satisfactory (32.4%) and poor (2.8%). In group II, Strickland's system results were excellent (62.1%), good (35.1%), and poor (2.8%). This study shows that the postoperative program with early, active flexion is better than complete immobilization for zone II flexor tendon repairs.

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