Dorsal and circumferential sheath reconstructions for flexor sheath defect with concomitant bony injury

Dorsal and circumferential flexor sheaths were reconstructed by autogenous sheath graft in flexor tendon repair in 28 white leghorn chickens. The effect of the sheath reconstructions was evaluated by use of an experimental model of tendon transection associated with bony injury, superficial tendon excision, and 3 weeks of immobilization. Six weeks after reconstruction, the gliding excursion was assessed and adhesion formation, tendon healing, and survival of the grafted sheath were evaluated both macroscopically and histologically. Dorsal and circumferential sheath grafts resulted in tendon gliding that was significantly better than the group with sheath defect not reconstructed. The adhesion formation was apparently less severe, and tendon healing was better in the groups with sheath reconstruction than in the group without reconstruction. The group with dorsal sheath reconstruction did not differ significantly from that with circumferential reconstruction in gliding excursion and adhesion formation. This study demonstrates that separation of the injured tendons from the bony surface by autogenous sheath grafts may be beneficial to tendon gliding and for reducing adhesion formation.