Histomorphometric analysis of poly-L/D-lactide 96/4 sutures in the gastrocnemius tendon of rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Common Achilles tendon ruptures are not usually fixed by bioabsorbable sutures due to limitations in their strength retention properties. Modern technology has made it possible to develop bioabsorbable sutures with prolonged strength retention.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate histologically tissue reactions of poly-L/D-lactide (PLDLA) sutures implanted in Achilles tendon of rabbits.


METHODS
Fifteen rabbits were evaluated at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, with five rabbits in each follow-up group. PLDLA monofilament sutures were implanted into the medial gastrocnemius tendon. Polyglyconate monofilament sutures with similar diameter (Maxon 4-0, Cyanamid of Great Britain Ltd., Gosport, UK) were implanted in the contralateral gastrocnemius tendon. The histology was studied in hard-resin embedded samples. The thickness of the formed fibrous tissue capsule was determined histomorphometrically.


RESULTS
PLDLA led to formation of significantly thinner fibrous tissue capsule than Maxon sutures of the same diameter. Median thickness (PLDLA vs. Maxon) at two weeks was 5.26 vs.13.22 microm, at six weeks 11.66 vs. 80.97 microm, and at 12 weeks 10.63 vs. 17.59 microm (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
During the 12 week follow-up period, PLDLA sutures implanted intratendineously formed thinner fibrous capsule than Maxon sutures of the same diameter. The suture materials were not totally absorbed by 12 weeks.
Kangas
J
J
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu - Finland.
Pajala
A
A
Leppilahti
J
J
Ryhänen
J
J
Länsman
S
S
Törmälä
P
P
Waris
T
T
Ashammakhi
N
N
D000818:Animals; D011091:Polyesters; D011817:Rabbits; D013537:Sutures; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*
D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)