The Plantaris Tendon in Surgery: A Scoping Review of Reconstructive Roles Beyond Orthopedics

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Biomaterials Science
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• The plantaris tendon is recognized for its autograft properties in orthopedic surgery.
• Its utility in non-musculoskeletal surgical applications is not well-characterized.
• This review explores the plantaris tendon's use in diverse surgical fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing literature on the surgical use of the plantaris tendon in nonorthopedic procedures.
• To identify patterns, outcomes, and evidence gaps across different clinical specialties.
• To assess the plantaris tendon's potential beyond orthopedic applications.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searches conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases.
• Inclusion of studies detailing nonorthopedic surgical applications and outcomes of the plantaris tendon or muscle.

Main Results:

• Ten studies were included, covering facial reanimation, ophthalmic surgery, hand reconstruction, cardiac repair, and visceral grafting.
• The most frequent application was static suspension for facial paralysis, with positive outcomes reported for symmetry and oral competence.
• Plantaris tendon grafts demonstrated favorable properties including length, tensile strength, and low donor site morbidity, with experimental data supporting its viability in esophageal and cardiac repairs.

Conclusions:

• The plantaris tendon exhibits promising versatility for reconstructive and experimental surgery outside of orthopedics.
• Current literature is limited and heterogeneous, necessitating broader anatomical familiarity and standardized outcome reporting.
• Further comparative studies are recommended to facilitate wider clinical adoption.