HOMOLOGOUS PLASMA-STORED TENDON GRAFTING IN EQUIDS - GROSS AND HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

The efficacy of homologous plasma-stored tendon grafting in the superf icial digital flexor tendon severed in the mid-metacarpal region was e valuated in 10 donkeys. Experimental tenectomies were performed, follo wed by grafting using plasma-stored tendon and human amniotic membrane encasement in group I (n = 8) but no grafting or encasement in group n (control) (n = 2). Gross observations in group I showed no peritendi nous adhesions, except in one animal, while control animals showed thi ck fibrous adhesions and thickening at both the cut ends. Histological ly, in the grafted tendon there was normal healing tissue at the junct ional sites with negligible collagen fibre and mild regressing inflamm atory reaction by day 15. By day 30 there were a great number of blood vessels but without any inflammatory reaction. The healing tissue at the grafted site and the adjoining paratenon was more mature. The fibr oblastic activity appeared to be both extrinsic and intrinsic in origi n. By day 60 fibroblastic activity was negligible and the healing tiss ue at the distal graft and host tendon junction site was at a more adv anced stage of maturation and showed early fasciculi/bundle formation. Healing tissue at three months showed collagen fibres fasciculi/bundl e comparable to normal tendon architecture. Tendon appeared histologic ally normal at four months after grafting.