title: Fascia lata allograft bridging of a rotator cuff tear in a rabbit animal model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite advances in surgical treatment options, large rotator cuff (r-c) tears still represent a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporary and spatial histological incorporation of fascia lata allografts, used for bridging artificially created defects of the r-c.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two rabbits were divided into two groups and a supraspinatus tendinous defect was created. Half of the rabbit population underwent repair only, while in the other half, the defect was bridged utilizing fascia lata allograft. The animals were euthanized at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperative. Half of the specimens were evaluated histologically and the other half underwent mechanical testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increased remodeling activity, fibroblastic in growth and strong presence of collagen fibers observed at 6 weeks on both groups. A gradually increasing mechanical strength was noticed by week 6 and increased toughness was also found at the same time period. There was no significant difference observed between the two groups regarding their histological and mechanical properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the difficult scenario of a large irreparable tear where the simple suture of the remaining r-c is impossible, allograft bridging, could be used with satisfactory results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment Study, Level 1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asclepieion Voulas, 16673 Voula, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Varvitsiotis
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asclepieion Voulas, 16673 Voula, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papaspiliopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, General Hospital 'G. Gennimatas', 12462 Haidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vlachou
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asclepieion Voulas, 16673 Voula, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feroussis
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedics, laboratory of research and experiments, 12462 Haidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papalois
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital 'Areteion', 12462 Haidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Xenofon
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Papacharalampous
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital 'Attikon', 12462 Haidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panayotis N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Soucacos
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital 'Attikon', 12462 Haidari, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aristides
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zoubos
keywords: Biomechanics; fascia lata allograft patch; graft bridging; histology; massive or irreparable tears of the rotator cuff; rabbit shoulder; rotator cuff repair
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