A Simplified Murine Model to Imitate Flexor Tendon Adhesion Formation without Suture

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Peritendinous adhesion (PA) poses a significant challenge in hand surgery, often recurring after tendon repair.
• Classical tendon repair models (TRM) using sutures are standard but may not fully represent adhesion formation without considering tendon healing.
• Biomimetic therapies for PA often utilize existing models, sometimes overlooking the critical aspect of tendon healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified, suture-free model for studying flexor tendon adhesion.
• To compare the efficacy of the new longitudinal incision model (LCM) against the traditional tenotomy with sutures repair model (TRM).
• To evaluate adhesion formation, range of motion, gene expression, and biomechanical properties in the LCM.

Main Methods:

• A novel longitudinal incision model (LCM) was created using three 6 mm longitudinal incisions in murine flexor tendons.
• The LCM was compared to the traditional tenotomy with sutures repair model (TRM).
• Adhesion scores, range of motion (ROM), mRNA expression of collagen I and III, and biomechanical properties (breaking force, stiffness) were assessed.

Main Results:

• The adhesion score in the LCM showed no significant difference compared to the TRM.
• Similar adhesion formation was observed between LCM and TRM groups based on ROM.
• mRNA expression levels of collagen I and III were comparable between LCM and TRM.
• The breaking force and stiffness of tendons in the LCM were significantly higher than in the TRM.

Conclusions:

• The longitudinal incision model (LCM) effectively replicates flexor tendon adhesion formation without sutures.
• LCM demonstrates comparable adhesion and healing characteristics to TRM with improved biomechanical outcomes.
• The LCM offers a simplified, suture-free, and operationally easier alternative for studying tendon adhesion and evaluating therapies.