Arch Plast Surg.  2018 Jul;45(4):357-362. 10.5999/aps.2017.01284.

The effect of increasing the contact surface on tendon healing

• Bilgen F
• Duman Y
• Bulut O
• BekerecioÄŸlu M

• KMID: 2418248
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2017.01284

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The most common complication after tendon repair is the development of adhesion, with subsequent rupture.
METHODS
In this study, we present a new method in which the tendon healing contact surface is increased to reduce these complications. The tendons of chickens in groups 1, 3, and 5 were transversely cut and repaired with in the traditional fashion with double-modified Kessler method and 5/0 polypropylene. In the other groups, 3 mm of the tendon was removed from the proximal half of the upper end and from the distal half of the lower end of the tendon, and they were repaired with the modified Kessler method. The tendons of the chickens in groups 1 and 2 were evaluated immediatelly after surgery. Groups 3 and 4 were evaluated at 4 weeks after surgery. Groups 5 and 6 were evaluated at 6 weeks.
RESULTS
Increases in transient inflammation and connective tissue formation were observed more clearly in the group treated with the new method in histopathological investigations at weeks 4 and 6. The stretching test showed statistically significant differences between groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05) and groups 5 and 6 (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
When repairing tendons with the new method, the healing surface increases and the direction of collagen fibers at the surface changes. Because of these effects, the strength of the tendon healing line increases; we therefore expect that this technique will enable patients to safely engage in early active exercise after the operation, with less risk of tendon rupture.

Keyword

Tendons; Wounds and injuries; Fibrosis; Movement

MeSH Terms

Chickens
Collagen
Connective Tissue
Fibrosis
Humans
Inflammation
Methods
Polypropylenes
Rupture
Tendons*
Wounds and Injuries
Collagen
Polypropylenes