Experimental fascial autografting for the supraspinatus tendon defect: remodeling process of the grafted fascia and the insertion into bone.
To elucidate the postoperative histologic changes of fascial autografting, tendinous defects (1.5 x 1.5 cm) were created close to the supraspinatus insertion and were covered by fascial autografts in 21 rabbits. Shoulders harvested on the fourth day and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. At the fascia-bone junction, chondrocytes started to appear at 2 weeks after surgery and increased rapidly thereafter. Although a tidemark was not seen, remodeling of direct insertion with fibrocartilage was almost complete by 8 weeks. The distribution of collagen types II and III represented a pattern similar to that of a normal supraspinatus tendon insertion. In the grafted fascia, the cellular density showed a marked increase over time (r2 = 0.74, P <.0001). Our study revealed that both the tendinous tissue and its insertion were reformed after this procedure. Fascial autografting might be useful for repairing a supraspinatus tendon defect.
Sano
Hirotaka
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
Kumagai
Jun
J
Sawai
Takashi
T
D000818:Animals; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000637:transplantation*; D011817:Rabbits; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing
D024043:Collagen Type II; D024061:Collagen Type III