Degradability of absorbable sutures in tendon grafts following anterior cruciate ligament recon-struction

張 力(Zhang Li，Dept Orthop Zhujiang Hosp，Southern Med Univ，Guangzhou 510282)…∥Chin J Orthop Trauma.－2011，13(2).－171～174

Degradability of absorbable sutures in tendon grafts following anterior cruciate ligament recon-struction

張 力(Zhang Li，Dept Orthop Zhujiang Hosp，Southern Med Univ，Guangzhou 510282)…∥Chin J Orthop Trauma.－2011，13(2).－171～174

ObjectiveTo observe the degradability of absorbable sutures in tendon grafts and the histology of tendon healing in a rabbit model.MethodsSemitendinosus tendons were harvested from 15 healthy adult New Zealand rabbits in this study.After two-band braiding，the semitendinosus tendons were sutured with the Vicryl Rapide absorbable surgical sutures.The anterior cruciate ligaments(ACL)of bilateral knees were reconstructed with the two-brand semitendinosus tendons in each rabbit.Specimens were collected at 2，4，8 weeks after surgery respectively for histological observation.ResultsGross observation showed fine motion of the animal limbs and fine condition of the ACL reconstructed after surgery.The absorbale sutures inside the tendon grafts were not degraded and surround by a few inflammatory cells，but the sutures at the edge of tendon graft began to degrade and healing of the tendon grafts was observed at 2 weeks after implantation.The absorbable sutures inside the tendon grafts were partially degraded but newborn tissue was not observed in the degrading region at 4 weeks after implantation.The absorbable sutures were completely degraded and the degradation region was blank at 8 weeks after implantaion.ConclusionThe speed of degradation of absorbable sutures inside the tendon grafts trends stable and the speed of absorption is obviously prolonged.14 refs，5 figs.

(Authors)