A biomechanical study of tendon adhesion reduction using a biodegradable barrier in a rabbit model.
Adhesion formation associated with tendon surgery is a widespread problem in which a healing tendon becomes adherent via scar tissue to surrounding structures such as bone, muscle, skin, tendon sheath, or other tendons. A model is described in which adhesions were generated reproducibly between the plantaris and Achilles tendons of the rabbit using a partial tenotomy, a Bunnel suture, and immobilization.  Using this model, the effect of an absorbable barrier, INTERCEED (TC7), on adhesion formation was investigated.  This material, which is a fabric comprised of oxidized regenerated cellulose, was found to diminish significantly the extent and severity of intertendinous adhesions, assessed both mechanically and histologically.  No evidence of a foreign body reaction was observed.
Department of Bioengineering, Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute, New York, NY 10003.
R J
RJ
Meislin
D M
DM
Wiseman
H
H
Alexander
T
T
Cunningham
C
C
Linsky
C
C
Carlstedt
M
M
Pitman
R
R
Casar
D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002483:Cellulose, Oxidized; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*