A single unit digital flexor tendon prosthesis

✍ Scribed by King, R. N. ;Dunn, H. K. ;Bolstad, K. E.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1975
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 462 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9304
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.820090419

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Historically, the surgical repair of serious injuries to the flexor tendons of the hand have met with loss than satisfactory clinical results. In an attempt to solve this problem, studies have been made on the design and testing of a Dacron polyester tendon prosthesis for complete replacement of the digital flexor tendon.

The prosthesis attaches proximally at the anatomical musculotendon junction via collagen ingrowth into a fabric structure and in a similar manner distally via bone ingrowth at the anatomical insertion site. These fabrics are continuous with the tendon body of the prosthesis consisting of an inextensible braided cord which is silicone rubber coated to prevent tissue adherence in the glide zone of the tendon bed. An added benefit of the prosthesis is a simple means of length adjustment which can easily be carried out on the operating table.

Studies have been performed in both dogs and chickens which indicate that sufficient tissue ingrowth occurs at both the distal and proximal anastomoses for retention of full load bearing capability in these animals and that postoperative adhesions are negligible, if present at all.

Full prostheses have been implanted in dogs for periods of over 1 year and in chickens for 2 months. The chicken is the preferred animal model as a tendency for extensive scar tissue generation was shown in the dog.

Both in vivo mechanical testing and histological characterizations have been made on sacrificed animals which have received the full prostheses.