Evaluating adhesion reduction efficacy of type I/III collagen membrane and collagen-GAG resorbable matrix in primary flexor tendon repair in a chicken model.
BACKGROUND
Reduction of peritendinous adhesions after injury and repair has been the subject of extensive prior investigation. The application of a circumferential barrier at the repair site may limit the quantity of peritendinous adhesions while preserving the tendon's innate ability to heal. The authors compare the effectiveness of a type I/III collagen membrane and a collagen-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) resorbable matrix in reducing tendon adhesions in an experimental chicken model of a "zone II" tendon laceration and repair.


METHODS
In Leghorn chickens, flexor tendons were sharply divided using a scalpel and underwent repair in a standard fashion (54 total repairs). The sites were treated with a type I/III collagen membrane, collagen-GAG resorbable matrix, or saline in a randomized fashion. After 3 weeks, qualitative and semiquantitative histological analysis was performed to evaluate the "extent of peritendinous adhesions" and "nature of tendon healing." The data was evaluated with chi-square analysis and unpaired Student's t test.


RESULTS
For both collagen materials, there was a statistically significant improvement in the degree of both extent of peritendinous adhesions and nature of tendon healing relative to the control group. There was no significant difference seen between the two materials. There was one tendon rupture observed in each treatment group. Surgical handling characteristics were subjectively favored for type I/III collagen membrane over the collagen-GAG resorbable matrix.


CONCLUSIONS
The ideal method of reducing clinically significant tendon adhesions after injury remains elusive. Both materials in this study demonstrate promise in reducing tendon adhesions after flexor tendon repair without impeding tendon healing in this model.
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 740 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536 USA.
John B
JB
Turner
Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Genzyme, A Sanofi Company, 500 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA.
Rubina L
RL
Corazzini
Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Genzyme, A Sanofi Company, 500 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA.
Timothy J
TJ
Butler
Histo-Scientific Research Laboratories, Inc., 5930 Main Street, Mt. Jackson, VA 22842 USA.
David S
DS
Garlick
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 740 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536 USA.
Brian D
BD
Rinker
Adhesion barrier; Collagen membrane adhesion barrier; Flexor tendon adhesion; Flexor tendon injury; Flexor tendon laceration