SHIELDING OF AUGMENTED TENDON-TENDON REPAIR

Strength and function of autogenic and xenogenic reconstruction of dig ital extensor tendons was examined in an ovine model. in this study, t endon-graft junctions were formed by either suture augmented with a wo ven polyester tube (A), or augmented and shielded from surrounding tis sues by chemically-treated bovine pericardium (S). By 12 wk, both A an d S sheep had returned to full range of motion. Mechanical strength of both the autograft-host and xenograft-host repair sites was similar, with a pooled strength of 131 +/- 25 N (n = 15). Similarly, the mid-po rtion xenograft strengths were constant at approximately 366 +/- 97 N (n = 7). In contrast, mid-portion autograft strengths decreased from 3 80 +/- 110 N (N = 4) to 120 +/- 66 N (n = 4) if shielding was omitted. The loss in autograft strength was attributed to loss of function ass ociated with adhesions. The use of the augmentation device coupled wit h an adhesion barrier gives higher initial reconstruction strength and improved function during the host repair period up to 12 wk.