Matrix synthesis and cell proliferation in repaired flexor tendons within e-PTFE reconstructed flexor tendon sheaths

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) may be used as a barrier to reduce formation of restrictive adhesions following tendon surgery within the flexor tendon sheath region. In order to assess its effects on the cellular activity of healing tendons, synthesis and contents of matrix components and synthesis of DNA were compared in divided and sutured flexor tendons that either had been covered with e-PTFE membranes or with sham-operated tendon sheaths in 30 rabbits. At intervals of up to 12 weeks segments of the tendon repair sites were harvested, placed in wells and labelled with 35S-sulphate, 3H-proline and 3H-thymidine during short-term culture in vitro. Adverse tissue reactions and tendon disruptions were not observed at harvest. At each time interval synthesis of matrix components and DNA and contents of protein and collagen in the repaired tendon segments were similar in the two groups. Measured over all intervals, synthesis of non-collagen protein and contents of protein and collagen were lower in the e-PTFE groups. These results show that reconstruction of flexor tendon sheaths with e-PTFE membranes may not significantly impair cell proliferation but to some extent may reduce protein synthesis of healing tendons.