[An experimental study on the healing of the digital flexor tendon and restoration of gliding function--Part XII--Shortening and changes of physical properties of morphological and functional changes of severed tendons].
The present investigator has sequentially studied gross, histological findings and serial changes of physical properties of severed flexor tendons in young chickens in order to provide information on a primary direct suture of the tendon. In these chickens, the distal portion of the profundus tendon of the third toe was severed then these chickens were divided into two groups. In group 1, the tendon was left in situ (vincula intact). In group 2 (vincula disrupted), the tendon was pulled out proximally to its trifurcation in order to disrupt the vincular system and returned to the original sheath. In group 1, shortening and physical changes were limited to the portion distal to the anchoring of the vinculum and the physical properties were well preserved and remained almost normal. In group 2, the tendon became short and thick. The physical properties were also degenerated markedly. From these results, it was concluded that the vincula greatly effects changes of the physical properties of severed flexor tendons. When vincula was not ruptured, the physiological properties remained almost unchanged resulting in primary suture. When vincula was ruptured and also marked shortening of tendon occurred, primary suture was completed 3 weeks from the restoration of shortened tendon and 2 weeks from degenerating shortened tendon. Combined the above results with such histological changes as thickening of epitenon and tendon and also adhesions, an ideal primary suture appeared to be within one week after severance.
Nakamura
T
T
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014034:Toes / Q000293:injuries; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*