Objective To assess the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) appl ied topically on the tendon adhesion and the heal ing process after the flexor tendon repair in Leghorn chickens. Methods Ninety male Leghorn chickens (weighing 3.0-3.5 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 30 chickens in each group. The flexordigitorum profundus tendons of the third right toes were transected and sutured directly. The repair site in group A was given 0.6 μL fibrin sealant (FS). In group B, the repair site was given 0.6 μL FS containing 500 ng bFGF. In group C, before the tendons were transected, they had been soaked in 5-FU solution, and then the same treatment as group B was given. Six specimens of the third toe were harvested to perform the macroscopical and histological examinations at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively, and to perform the biomechanical test at 8 weeks. Results All animals survived until the experiment was completed. All incisions healed smoothly. No rupture occurred in the reparied tendon. At 8 weeks, the adhesion degree was l ighter in group C than in group B (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the adhesion degree between group A and groups B, C (P gt; 0.05). At 1, 2, and 4 weeks after operation, the number of fibroblast cells of group A was significantly less than that of group B (P lt; 0.05), and the number of fibroblast cells of group C was significantly less than that of group A and group B in the tendon sheath and epitenon (P lt; 0.05); however, it was significantly more than that of group A in the tendon parenchyma (P lt; 0.05), and no significant difference was observed when compared with that of group B (P gt; 0.05). At 8 weeks, no difference was found among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). The collagen fiber content of group A was significantly less than that of group B at 4 and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05). In the sheath and epitenon, the collagen fiber content of group A was significantly more than that of group C at 4 weeks (P lt; 0.05); however, no significant difference was found between 2 groups at 8 weeks (P gt; 0.05). The collagen fiber content of group A wassignificantly less than that of group C in the parenchyma at 4 and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05). At all time points, the collagen fiber content of group B was significantly more than that of group C in the sheath and epitenon (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference in the parenchyma was observed between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The biomechanical tests showed that the gl iding excursion of the tendon in groups A, B, and C was (3.51 ± 0.56), (2.84 ± 0.42), and (4.56 ± 0.59) mm, respectively; the work of flexion was (14.08 ± 1.85), (20.62 ± 3.52), and (10.91 ± 1.53) N.mm, respectively; and the ultimate tensile strength of the tendon was (11.26 ± 1.83), (15.02 ± 2.20), and (14.40 ± 1.57) N, respectively. There were significant differences in the gl iding excursion of the tendon and the work of flexion among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05) and in the ultimate tensile strength of the tendon between group A and groups B, C (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the ultimate tensile strength of the tendon between group B and group C (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Local single-use bFGF and 5-FU can not only effectively promote the heal ing of flexor tendon, but also significantly reduce tendon adhesion.
Objective To study the status quo ofthe methods and materials for accelerating the tendon healing and preventing the tendon adhesion as to provide an essential reference for future research and clinical application. Methods The recent articles on methods of accelerating tendon healing and preventing tendon adhesion were extensively reviewed. Results Tendon healing was decided by the co-effects of both endogenous and exogenous ways, and the former was more important. It was affected by the tendon sheath, vincula tendinum and synovial fluid as well. Tendon adhesion was mostly caused by excessive participation of exogenous healing factors and serious damage of the situations around the tendon. Tendon healing was accelerated by methods like repairing, reconstruction of peri-tendon tissues, electric stimulation, physiotherapy, adding herbs or growth factors,and gene intervention. Tendon adhesion was reduced or prevented by methods likethe restoration of tendon sheath, using substitutions, adding herbs/ drugs, andimproving suturing techniques. Conclusion Via the appropriate methods and techniques combining the Chinese traditional and modern medicine, tendon healing can be accelerated and the quality of tendon healing can be improved.
Flexion tendons in fibrous sheath of 36 New Zealand white rabbits was repaired, after excision of fibrous sheath and vinculum, with microsurgical technique. Histological examination was made. The results showed that as the prolongation of the postoperative time, the adhesion around the tendon became more and more dense. 7 days after operation, tendon was connected by hemocyte and fibroid materials. Following 7 days after operation, fibroblaste origined from extrinsic memberance of tendon obviously produced,and strentched to tendon stump. The synthesis of collage fibers began at 21 days after operation .28 days,connective tissure between tendon stumps was tendency of reconstruction. The experiment demonstrated that pattern of tendon healing belinged to extrinsic repair . That was related to destroy of tendon nutrition systems in fibrous sheath.