title: Biomechanical and Macroscopic Evaluations of the Effects of 5-Fluorouracil on Partially Divided Flexor Tendon Injuries in Rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main goals of flexor tendon surgery are to restore digital motion by providing tendon healing and to preserve tendon gliding. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on tendon adhesions in partially divided profundus flexor tendons (flexor digitorum profundus [FDPs]) following surgical repair and in partially divided FDPs without surgical repair, and to compare the results of the repair versus the nonrepair of zone two injuries via macroscopic and biomechanical evaluations of tendon adhesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used 32 adult male European rabbits (Oryctolagus cunniculus) weighing from 2.5 to 3.5 kg. The study was performed on the deep flexor tendons of the second and third digits of the right hind paws of the rabbits; thus, a total of 64 tendons were examined in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the results achieved in our experimental study, the load (N) significantly increased in subgroup 1a in which the tendons were surgically repaired and were not treated with 5-FU compared with subgroup 2a in which tendons were surgically repaired and treated with 5-FU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The load (N) significantly increased in subgroup 1a in which the tendons were surgically repaired and were not treated with 5-FU compared to subgroup 2a in which the tendons were surgically repaired and treated with 5-FU. Therefore, these results revealed a decrease in adhesion formation in the subgroup that was treated with 5-FU due to increased resistance to tendon adhesions during their excursion through the tendon sheath, which in this case required greater traction force.
authors.forename: Shkelzen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Duci
authors.forename: Hysni M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Arifi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina 10000, Kosovo.
authors.forename: Hasan R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ahmeti
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manxhuka-Kerliu
authors.forename: Burim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neziri
authors.forename: Agon Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Mekaj
authors.forename: Shpetim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lajqi
authors.forename: Labinot
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shahini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013710:Tendons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil