title: Reconstruction of large rotator-cuff tears with acellular dermal matrix grafts in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With the acellular dermal matrix (ADM), it may be possible to bridge large rotator cuff tears and induce tendon regeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3 x 5 mm defect of the rotator cuff was created on both shoulders of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The graft group (n = 15) underwent reconstruction of the rotator cuff defect with an ADM patch graft; in the defect group (n = 15) no repair was performed. We sacrificed 5 rats from each group at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery and harvested both shoulders; 3 specimens were subjected to histological analysis and the other 7 specimens were used for biomechanical testing. The controls were 5 unoperated rats; they were sacrificed to obtain 3 histologic and 7 biomechanical control shoulder specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At each time points, the graft group had significantly higher modified tendon maturing scores than the defect group (p < 0.002); specimens from the graft group demonstrated a greater mean ultimate force to failure than those from the defect group (p < 0.05). Within 12 weeks, the ADM graft was histologically incorporated into a structure resembling control specimen; the mean ultimate force to failure in control was significantly greater than in specimens from both groups (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the defect was restored in the defect group, histologically and biomechanically specimens from the defect group were inferior to the graft group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADM grafts were useful as a scaffold in the reconstruction of large rotator cuff defects in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic science study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Neuro-Musculoskeletal Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. ide@kumamoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ide
authors.forename: Kenshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikukawa
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iyama
authors.forename: Hidetoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mizuta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: C440568:Alloderm; D003094:Collagen