title: Prevention of peritendinous adhesions using an electrospun DegraPol polymer tube: a histological, ultrasonographic, and biomechanical study in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the great challenges in surgical tendon rupture repair is to minimize peritendinous adhesions. In order to reduce adhesion formation, a physical barrier was applied to a sutured rabbit Achilles tendon, with two different immobilization protocols used postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty New Zealand white rabbits received a laceration on the Achilles tendon, sutured with a 4-strand Becker suture, and half of the rabbits got a DegraPol tube at the repair site. While fifteen rabbits had their treated hind leg in a 180° stretched position during 6 weeks (adhesion provoking immobilization), the other fifteen rabbits were recasted with a 150° position after 3 weeks (adhesion inhibiting immobilization). Adhesion extent was analysed macroscopically, via ultrasound and histology. Inflammation was determined histologically. Biomechanical properties were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Application of a DegraPol tube reduced adhesion formation by approximately 20%--independently of the immobilization protocol. Biomechanical properties of extracted specimen were not affected by the tube application. There was no serious inflammatory reaction towards the implant material.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implantation of a DegraPol tube tightly set around a sutured tendon acts as a beneficial physical barrier and prevents adhesion formation significantly--without affecting the tendon healing process.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, ZKF, Sternwartstrasse 14, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meier Bürgisser
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, ZKF, Sternwartstrasse 14, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4372-0561
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calcagni
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, ZKF, Sternwartstrasse 14, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: ab medica, Via Nerviano 31, 20020 Lainate, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonavoglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Uniklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gion
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fessel
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Uniklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jess G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Snedeker
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, ZKF, Sternwartstrasse 14, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giovanoli
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, ZKF, Sternwartstrasse 14, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7919-7448
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buschmann
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: C104154:DegraPol; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011140:Polyurethanes
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