The role of Na-hylan in reducing postsurgical tendon adhesions: Part 2

Na-hylan, a chemically modified sodium hyaluronate jelly, was studied mechanically and histologically as a surgical device to diminish tendon adhesions in rabbit extensor hallucis longus tendons after severe surgical trauma. Na-hylan jelly of high viscoelastic properties was found to be highly effective in decreasing tendon adhesions. Na-hylan jelly of low viscoelastic properties was not effective in diminishing adhesion formation. There was no interference with the tensile strength of tendon healing, and no evidence of acute or chronic inflammatory response to the Na-hylan jelly.