Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a polylactic acid bioresorbable film in the prevention of tendon adhesion after tendon repair.
Materials & Methods: Twenty-four adult rabbits (48 cases) were used in this study. In the first (control) group, the flexor tendons of the third toe were cut and a tenorrhaphy was performed. The 2nd group was injected with hyaluronic acid between the tendon and tendon sheath after suturing. The 3rd group underwent an enveloping of the tendon with polylactic acid film, followed by tenorrhaphy. The test animals were euthanized at 1, 2, 3, and 6 weeks after surgery, and the histology and biomechanics were evaluated.
Results: Microscopic evaluations revealed fibrosis to be most apparent in group 1, while groups 2 and 3 showed no significant differences. The biomechanical tests, which were carried out using a Universal Testing Machine, revealed that an increase in adhesion strength with time. At 6 weeks after surgery, group 1 exhibited an adhesion strength that was 2.5-3 times greater than that exhibited by groups 2 and 3. Group 2 had a higher adhesion strength than group 3, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Increases in granulation tissue and fibrosis during the healing of sutured tendons were observed, and the tested polylactide resorbable film was found to be effective in reducing the level of adhesion formation after tendon repair.
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