A biomechanical study of tendon adhesion reduction using a biodegradable barrier in a rabbit model

Adhesion formation associated with tendon surgery is a widespread problem in which a healing tendon becomes adherent via scar tissue to surrounding structures such as bone, muscle, skin, tendon sheath, or other tendons. A model is described in which adhesions were generated reproducibly between the plantaris and Achilles tendons of the rabbit using a partial tenotomy, a Bunnel suture, and immobilization. Using this model, the effect of an absorbable barrier, INTERCEED (TC7), on adhesion formation was investigated. This material, which is a fabric comprised of oxidized regenerated cellulose, was found to diminish significantly the extent and severity of intertendinous adhesions, assessed both mechanically and histologically. No evidence of a foreign body reaction was observed.