Fascia patch graft for a digital flexor sheath defect over primary tendon repair in the chicken

The histologic appearance of 14 chicken flexor tendon repair sites with a defect in the tendon sheath was compared with 14 covered by fascia patch grafts. Half the animals (seven with and seven without the patch) were studied 3 weeks after surgery and the other half 8 weeks after surgery. The qualitative microscopic examination showed that the area of healing was better organized with less restrictive-appearing adhesions when the sheath defect was grafted.