The effect of fibrin sealant on the strength of tendon repair of full thickness tendon lacerations in the rabbit Achilles tendon.

Abstract

The influence of fibrin sealant on healing was investigated in the suture of Achilles tendons of 24 rabbits. The Achilles tendon cut through was anastomosed with a 4-0 prolene suture alone in one group and fibrin sealant was applied to the cut surfaces of the tendon prior to suture repair in the second group. After 17 and 27 days, five animals in each group were sacrificed. The repaired Achilles tendons were retrieved and the tensile strength of the repaired tendons measured using an Instron. One rabbit in each group was sacrificed at 3 weeks and 6 weeks and the repaired tendons were harvested and fixed for histologic study. At 17 and 27 days there was no significant difference between the tensile strength of the control and fibrin sealant groups. Histologically there was no distinct difference of the repair process of the tendons between the two groups.